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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
2026-01-22
Official status
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was vetoed by the governor, but it could still become law if lawmakers override the veto.

Farmland Access and Conservation Act

This act establishes a new program within the Department of Conservation to provide financial assistance for acquiring agricultural lands, with funding from a special fund in the state treasury if approved by the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Program within the Department of Conservation.
  • Provides financial assistance to qualified entities to acquire agricultural lands for transfer or long-term lease to farmers.
  • Creates the Farmland Access Fund in the State Treasury, which can be used by the department if approved by the Legislature.
  • Authorizes the department to contract with nonprofit organizations to administer the program.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Farmers who want to acquire agricultural lands through long-term leases or transfers.
  • Qualified entities that help farmers acquire agricultural lands.
  • The Department of Conservation and nonprofit organizations involved in running the program.

Terms To Know

Farmland Access Fund
A special fund in the state treasury used to support the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Program, if approved by the Legislature.
Qualified entities
Organizations that meet certain requirements set by the Department of Conservation to receive financial assistance under the program.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The operation of the program is contingent upon the Legislature making an appropriation.
  • It is unclear how much money will be available in the Farmland Access Fund.
  • The bill was vetoed by the governor, but it could still become law if lawmakers override the veto.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-22 California Legislative Information

    Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.

  2. 2025-10-01 California Legislative Information

    Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

  3. 2025-10-01 California Legislative Information

    Vetoed by Governor.

  4. 2025-09-22 California Legislative Information

    Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

  5. 2025-09-10 California Legislative Information

    Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 3195.).

  6. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  7. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 31. Noes 5. Page 2746.).

  8. 2025-09-02 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  9. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  10. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (August 29).

  11. 2025-08-25 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Referred to suspense file.

  12. 2025-08-18 California Legislative Information

    (Ayes 27. Noes 0. Page 2172.)

  13. 2025-08-18 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  14. 2025-08-13 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  15. 2025-07-15 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  16. 2025-06-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on AGRI.

  17. 2025-06-11 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and AGRI.

  18. 2025-06-03 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  19. 2025-06-02 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1834.)

  20. 2025-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  21. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

  22. 2025-05-14 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  23. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  24. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    Coauthors revised.

  25. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on AGRI.

  26. 2025-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. Read second time and amended.

  27. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on AGRI.

  28. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. Read second time and amended.

  29. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on AGRI.

  30. 2025-02-11 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.

  31. 2025-02-10 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 524, Wilson.
Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act.
Existing law, the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act, establishes within the Department of Conservation the California Farmland Conservancy Program. Existing law authorizes the program to offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands, as defined, that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management.
This bill would require the department, in collaboration with the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force, to establish the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Program in the department to provide financial and technical assistance to support agricultural land acquisition and protection. The bill would require the department, subject to specified requirements, to provide financial assistance under the program to qualified entities
for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands to transfer or provide long-term leases to qualified farmer participants, as specified. The bill would establish the Farmland Access Fund in the State Treasury and would make moneys in the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for program expenditures. The bill would authorize the department to contract with one or more nonprofit organizations to administer the program. The bill would make the operation of the program contingent upon the Legislature making an appropriation for purposes of the program.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF