In October 2011, Govenor Brown signed Senate Bill 618.  The bill authorizes parties to a Williamson Act contract, under specific circumstances, after approval by the Department of Conservation, and in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, to mutually agree to rescind the contract in order to simultaneously enter into a solar-use easement.  In most cases, the easement will require that the land be used for solar photovoltaic facilities for a term no less than 20 years. 

• Regulations - Regulations to guide implementation of the legislation are being developed.  Earlier this summer, the Department of Conservation provided an initial draft of the proposed regulations for comment by potentially affected stakeholders and the public; the deadline for these comments was August 17.  The Department is now evaluating comments in preparation for the formal regulatory adoption process later this year.  See links below for more information. 
  
  Cover letter for pre-release of SB 618 regulations (PDF)
  
  Pre-release language of SB 618 regulations (PDF)
• Interested Parties Survey - This survey covers the potential economic ramifications of the propsed regulations and the content of the May 18 Scoping Workshop.  The deadline for participation was August 17, 2012.  Results of the survey will be made available when they are compiled. 
• Scoping Workshop - The Department held a workshop to increase public participation and improve the quality of regulations that will guide implementation of SB 618 on Friday, May 18, 2012. 
  
  Please see the meeting announcement and agenda for the event.   
• Other information that may be of assistance is contained in the portions of Government Code specific to solar use easements, the complete text of SB 618, and the Department's general advice for parties interested in pursuing the potential use of a solar easement on lands currently under a Williamson Act contract.  

For additional information regarding Solar-use Easements, or the Williamson Act Program, please call 916-324-0850, or email dlrp@conservation.ca.gov.