BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2516
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 21, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                     AB 2516 (Gordon) - As Amended:  May 7, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              Natural  
          ResourcesVote:5-2

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Natural Resources Agency (NRA), in  
          collaboration with the Ocean Protection Council, to create and  
          post on its Internet Web site a database describing steps being  
          taken throughout the state to prepare for, and adapt to, sea  
          level rise.   This bill requires NRA to update the database on a  
          quarterly basis with information provided by specified public  
          and private entities.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)One-time costs to the NRA/Ocean Protection Council of  
            approximately $165,000 (GF or Cost of Implementation Account)  
            to create the database.

          2)Ongoing costs of approximately $65,000 per year (GF or Cost of  
            Implementation Account) to maintain and update the database.

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.   According to the author, state agencies have  
            developed sea level rise planning guidance documents as well  
            as supported planning and adaptation projects through grant  
            funding and working with local planners.  Many cities,  
            counties, and regions have begun to address the challenge of  
            sea level rise through studies, modeling, mapping,  
            cost-benefit analysis, and vulnerability assessments and  
            adaptation strategies.  

            While much work has been done on the issue, existing  
            information is not centrally located, but found piecemeal  








                                                                  AB 2516
                                                                  Page  2

            among many agencies and entities.   This bill requires a  
            database and inventory of the work being done to address this  
            issue.

           2)Background.   Climate change during the next century is  
            projected to accelerate sea level rise.  A 2012 report from  
            the National Research Council found that the average sea level  
            rise projections for California are an additional 6 inches by  
            2030, 12 inches by 2050, and 36 inches by 2100.  The longest  
            continuously operating gauge of sea level, in San Francisco  
            Bay, recorded a seven-inch rise in sea level over the 20th  
            century.  



           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081