BILL NUMBER: AB 694	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Rendon

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to amend Section 30620.2 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to coastal resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 694, as introduced, Rendon. California Coastal Commission:
fees: low-cost accommodation.
   The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires the California Coastal
Commission to implement and administer various coastal protection
programs in the state, and requires any person undertaking
development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development
permit issued by the commission in accordance with prescribed
procedures. Existing law requires a person receiving a coastal
development permit or certificate of exemption for development on a
vacant lot within an area designated pursuant to certain provisions
to pay an "in-lieu" public access fee, for deposit into the Coastal
Access Account. Existing law authorizes money in the account to be
available, upon appropriation, to the State Coastal Conservancy for
grants to public and nonprofit entities for development, maintenance,
and operation of new or existing facilities that provide public
access to the shoreline of the sea.
   This bill would authorize "in-lieu" public access fees in the
account to be made available, upon appropriation, to the commission
for purposes of retaining and developing low-cost accommodations, as
defined, along the coast by providing low-interest loans and entering
into cost-sharing agreements for the renovation of those facilities.

   The bill would also declare the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to authorize the California Coastal Commission to accept
conservation easements for purposes of low-cost accommodations in
the coastal zone that would provide tax advantages to the property
owner in return for the loss of development rights.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 30620.2 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   30620.2.   (a)    The Coastal Access Account is
hereby created in the State Coastal Conservancy Fund. The money in
the account shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature
in the annual Budget Act, to the State Coastal Conservancy for
grants to public agencies and private nonprofit entities or
organizations for the development, maintenance, and operation of new
or existing facilities that provide public access to the shoreline of
the sea, as defined in Section 30115. Any grant funds that are not
expended for those purposes shall revert to the account. 
   (b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) and Section 30610.3,
"in-lieu" public access fees deposited in the account pursuant to
subdivision (e) of Section 30610.3 may be made available, upon
appropriation, to the commission for purposes of retaining and
developing low-cost accommodations along the coast by providing
low-interest loans and entering into cost-sharing agreements for the
renovation of these facilities.  
   (2) For purposes of this subdivision, "low-cost accommodations"
means a facility that offers affordable accommodations for less than
seven days, not including camping, in the coastal zone.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation
that would authorize the California Coastal Commission to accept
conservation easements for purposes of low-cost accommodations in the
coastal zone that would provide tax advantages to the property owner
in return for the loss of development rights.