A bill that exemplifies the lack of water for farming in California just passed the state Legislature. It makes it easier for farmers to convert their fields to solar panels. Decades ago, state lawmakers were concerned about too many farms being turned into new subdivisions. So in 1965, the state started giving tax breaks to growers who agreed to keep their land in farming. But now farmers who want to switch to solar are finding the strict rules are like expensive locks on their property, with high fees to get out of the agreements. The bill adopted Monday night targets areas where growers are now limited in how much groundwater they can pump and are being forced to leave some of their land dry and unplanted.

Other California water legislation news:

• Times-Standard (Eureka, Calif.): Tribal water rights bill heads to Newsom’s desk
• The Pajaronian (Watsonville, Calif.): Newsom signs bill easing levee construction
• KCRA (Sacramento, Calif.): California lawmakers approve bill streamlining invasive golden mussel response
• Los Angeles Times: Sweeping climate and energy legislation goes to Newsom’s desk