California Coastal Commission: consistency determinations: Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Assembly Member Essayli's coastal resources bill aims to override the California Coastal Commission's October 2024 decision blocking increased SpaceX launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The legislation would nullify the Commission's 6-4 vote against allowing SpaceX to expand from 36 to 50 annual Falcon 9 launches at the base, instead deeming these activities consistent with the California Coastal Act of 1976.

The bill adds Section 30345 to the Public Resources Code, which voids the Commission's objection to Consistency Determination CD-0007-24 and establishes statutory concurrence for the increased launch activities. According to testimony cited in the bill's findings, Air Force and Space Force representatives indicated that SpaceX operations at Vandenberg constitute federal agency activity supporting national security objectives. The findings also note concerns that the Commission's decision reflected political considerations rather than coastal management priorities.

As an urgency measure requiring a two-thirds vote, the bill would take immediate effect upon passage to enable prompt implementation of the expanded launch schedule. The legislation declares that a special statute is necessary given Vandenberg's role in national security. While the bill contains no appropriations or fiscal impacts, it represents an uncommon legislative intervention into a specific Coastal Commission determination, establishing precedent for override of the agency's federal consistency decisions through targeted statutory changes.