BILL NUMBER: AB 1066	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Laird

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2007

   An act to add Section 30523.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to coastal resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1066, as introduced, Laird. Coastal resources: local coastal
programs.
   (1) Existing law requires local governments lying, in whole or in
part, within the coastal zone to prepare a local coastal program for
submission for certification to the California Coastal Commission, in
accordance with specified requirements.
   This bill would require local governments, when preparing,
adopting, and updating a local coastal program for certification by
the commission to consider the impacts of climate change. The
commission would be required to assist local governments in obtaining
state and federal grant funds to help defray the costs associated
with understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change
impacts in their local coastal programs. Because the bill would
increase the duties of local governments, it would thereby impose a
state-mandated local program.
   (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The California coast has witnessed persistent sea level rise
along its southern and central coast section and in San Francisco Bay
over the past century. Over 1,000 miles of open ocean coast are
potentially at risk from the impacts associated with global warming.
   (b) Assembly Bill 32 of the 2005-06 Regular Session established
the California Global Warming Solution Act of 2006. Assembly Bill 32
states that global warming poses a serious threat to the economic
well-being, public health, natural resources, and the environment of
California. The potential adverse impacts of global warming include
the exacerbation of air quality problems, a reduction in the quality
and supply of water to the state from the Sierra Nevada snowpack, a
rise in sea levels resulting in the displacement of thousands of
coastal businesses and residences, damage to marine ecosystems and
the natural environment, and an increase in the incidences of
infectious diseases, asthma, and other human health-related problems.

   (c) A recent study sponsored by the California Environmental
Protection Agency and conducted by the National Center for
Atmospheric Research (NCAR) surveyed federal, state, and local
coastal managers in California. The survey indicates that coastal
managers are aware of and concerned with the potential impacts
associated with climate change, but that the majority of coastal
managers are not addressing these impacts in their planning and
development decisions on the coast to date.
   (d) According to the NCAR study, "The sobering conclusion is that
California is inadequately preparing for the impacts of climate
change on coastal areas at this time. Local governments will need
substantial support from state and federal agencies if the level of
preparedness for climate change and other inundation-related risks is
to be elevated in the future."
  SEC. 2.  Section 30523.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   30523.5.  (a) A local government, when preparing, adopting, and
updating a local coastal program for certification by the commission
shall consider the impacts of climate change.
   (b) The commission shall assist local governments in obtaining
state and federal grant funds to help defray the costs associated
with understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change
impacts in the local coastal program.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.