Coastal Commission & Development Oversignt

Makes technical changes to provisions governing the California Sea Level Rise State and Regional Support Collaborative.

Strengthens oversight of coastal oil and gas operations by requiring new permits for idle facilities. Mandates pipeline-only transport of offshore oil using best available technology. Requires 180-day review period before approving changes to oil and gas leases. Maintains original lease holder liability unless specifically released by state commission.

Establishes a producer responsibility program requiring companies to manage collection of waste oil and lubricants by 2028. Creates a producer organization to implement statewide collection systems at no cost to residents. Requires producers to fund program costs and reimburse local governments for illegal dumping cleanup. Authorizes penalties up to $50,000 per day for companies that violate program requirements.

Establishes a new state fund to help local governments protect coastal resources and ensure public beach access. Requires coastal cities to develop sea level rise plans with science-based adaptation strategies by 2034. Creates a voluntary early consultation process with the Coastal Commission for plan development by 2029. Mandates that sea level rise plans include equity assessments for at-risk communities and infrastructure impacts.

Requires state agencies to report on contaminated sites vulnerable to sea level and groundwater rise by 2027. Mandates assessment timelines for vulnerable contaminated sites to be included in the legislative report. Automatically repeals these reporting requirements on January 1, 2031.

Authorizes the creation of marine artificial reefs as conservation and mitigation banks for environmental protection. Requires environmental review and ongoing monitoring to ensure reefs meet designated performance standards. Mandates a 1% trust fund from credit sales for long-term reef management on state lands. Allows both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish and operate marine artificial reef banks.

Requires state agencies to evaluate and update standards for copper-based boat paint by January 2028. Mandates completion of studies on copper pollution in marine waters by June 2027. Establishes new requirements for addressing elevated copper levels in California's harbors and marinas. Requires public posting of best practices for reducing copper pollution from boat paint.

Requires large outdoor events to offer drink spiking test kits and protective lids starting July 2026. Mandates event staff to contact authorities when drink spiking is suspected or reported. Requires prominent signage at all alcohol service points warning about drink spiking risks. Applies only to events with over 10,000 daily attendees and expires January 2029.

Makes technical changes to provisions governing local coastal program submissions.

Allows local agencies to approve accessory dwelling units before primary homes during declared emergencies. Exempts Los Angeles County accessory dwelling units from coastal development permits with specific setbacks. Requires accessory dwelling units to be set back 10 feet from canyon bluffs and 25 feet from coastal bluffs. Takes effect immediately to address housing needs in disaster-affected areas.

Establishes a process for designating protected surfing areas along California's coast as state surfing reserves. Requires the Coastal Conservancy to create criteria for surfing reserve designations by July 2026. Allows local governments to apply for surfing reserve status for coastlines within their jurisdiction. Integrates designated surfing reserves into California's goal to protect 30% of coastal waters by 2030.

Streamlines the coastal development amendment process by making minor changes effective upon meeting adjournment. Reduces reporting requirements for coastal violations from annual to every five years with expanded scope. Allows local governments to enforce building code violations within certified coastal programs. Maintains penalties up to 75% of maximum fines for coastal access and environmental violations.

Authorizes coastal blue carbon projects to capture and store carbon in seagrasses and wetlands. Requires developers impacting coastal habitats to build or fund carbon sequestration projects. Mandates scientific monitoring of carbon storage effectiveness in all demonstration projects. Establishes restoration requirements using native species in historically degraded coastal areas.

Requires the Coastal Commission to approve or deny higher education housing permits within 90 days. Allows timeline extensions if projects change significantly or natural disasters affect environmental conditions. Applies specifically to student, faculty, and staff housing projects in coastal zones.

Requires creation of a detailed inventory of abandoned vessels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by 2027. Mandates tracking of vessel sizes, hazardous materials, and estimated removal costs for each abandoned boat. Aims to protect Delta's water supply and ecosystem from pollution caused by abandoned vessels. Requires legislative funding approval before inventory work can begin.

Expands a voluntary program to reduce ship speeds along California's coast to protect whales and reduce air pollution. Requires large vessels to participate in speed reduction zones of 10 knots or less in exchange for incentives. Mandates data collection on whale strikes, underwater noise, and air quality impacts in coastal communities. Requires participating air districts to submit a program implementation report by December 2029.

Overturns the Coastal Commission's denial of SpaceX's request to increase launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Authorizes SpaceX to increase annual launches from 36 to 50 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Takes effect immediately upon passage to support national security and aerospace industry growth. Declares the Commission's October 2024 objection null and void.