CA AB823

Requires lead agencies reviewing development projects to mandate all feasible mitigation of significant environmental impacts from converting agricultural land to nonagricultural uses.

Permits lead agencies to consider permanent protection or replacement of agricultural land as feasible mitigation, achieved through agricultural conservation easements granted to qualified entities or funded through fees.

Specifies that mitigation fees must cover easement purchase price, transaction costs, and funding for perpetual monitoring and administration by qualified entities such as land trusts, nonprofits, or resource conservation districts.

Establishes legislative findings that California loses approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural land annually and that agricultural land preservation is necessary for the state's food security, natural resources conservation, and economic development.

Declares that no state reimbursement is required because local agencies have authority to levy service charges and fees sufficient to pay for the program mandated by this act.