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AB-524 • 2026

Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act.

Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act.

Budget
Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor
Wilson
Last action
Official status
Vetoed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source confirms the program requires legislative appropriation to operate but does not specify if funding was ever approved before the veto.

Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act

This vetoed bill proposed creating a new state program to help qualified groups buy farmland so they can transfer or lease it long-term to specific farmers.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Conservation, working with the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force, to create the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Program.
  • Provides financial and technical assistance to qualified entities so they can buy agricultural land to transfer or lease long-term to qualified farmer participants.
  • Establishes a new Farmland Access Fund in the State Treasury to pay for program costs if the Legislature approves funding.
  • Allows the Department of Conservation to hire nonprofit organizations to run the program.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Conservation
  • Qualified entities that buy farmland with assistance
  • Qualified farmer participants who receive land or long-term leases
  • Nonprofit organizations hired to manage the program

Terms To Know

Appropriation
The act of the Legislature setting aside money for a specific purpose.
Qualified entities
Groups that meet rules set by the bill to receive help buying land.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The program cannot start unless the Legislature approves funding.
  • The Governor vetoed this bill, so it did not become law as written.
  • The text does not list specific rules for who counts as a qualified farmer or entity.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Vetoed

Official Summary Text

Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act.