Bill to Aid Coastal Commission Clears Assembly Committee

Assembly Natural Resources Committee passes SB 360, legislation to allow members of a LAFCO or JPA to serve on the Coastal Commission

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, broadening the local agencies that a member of the Coastal Commission can jointly serve on to include a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) or a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was approved by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday.

The bill, SB 360, which has already passed the Senate, goes next to the Assembly floor for consideration.

“SB 360 is good government, because it allows elected officials to use their knowledge and experience when needed for both the Coastal Commission and a LAFCO or JPA,” Blakespear said. “This benefits constituents by ensuring the best local expertise is available to those agencies and not excluded by a needless exemption.”

Members of the Coastal Commission may serve concurrently on other government bodies, such as regional associations of governments. However, they are not statutorily allowed to serve concurrently on a LAFCO or JPA.

The statewide coastal resource protection policies of the Coastal Act are implemented by coastal cities and counties through the preparation and certification of Local Coastal Programs (LCPs), which function like mini-General Plans for the coastal zone.

Once certified by the Coastal Commission, LCPs become the standard of review for coastal development permits issued by the local government. Thus, implementation of the Coastal Act is centered on the partnership between coastal local governments and the Coastal Commission.

Half of the 12 appointed commissioners must be locally elected officials appointed from specified regions, a provision that ensures that locally specific knowledge is considered in Commission decisions along with the statewide policies of the Coastal Act.

Finding officials to serve can be difficult in some counties that have a limited number of officials with the necessary expertise. Currently, a member of a LAFCO or JPA must resign from that position in order to accept an appointment to the Coastal Commission.

There is no rationale behind this exclusion. SB 360 eliminates this unnecessary restriction.

Elected in November, Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern coastal San Diego County and part of Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.

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