Voluntary contracts regulating nonagricultural development rights are the heart of the California Land Conservation Act of 1965. Designed to answer some of the criticism of previous land-control devices, the new law should help solve some of the serious problems of population growth and urbanization facing California. The legislation calls for a minimum ten-year period during which the property owner surrenders his nonagricultural development rights; and the local government—presumably the county—acquires those rights in the nature of a trusteeship. The local government will receive a state subvention payment, and the property owners who enter into contracts may receive compensation from the local government.

He has served as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Assembly Interim Committee on agriculture since its formation in April, 1964.