SB 963: California Coastal Act of 1976: coastal development permits: appeal: de novo review.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the California Coastal Commission. Existing law requires the commission to have the primary responsibility for the implementation of the California Coastal Act of 1976 and designates it as the state coastal zone planning and management agency, as provided. Existing law, among other things, requires anyone wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit from the commission or a local government, as provided. Existing law authorizes an appeal to the commission for any action taken by a local government on coastal development permit applications, requires the commission to hear the appeal, and establishes specified appeal procedures, as provided. Existing law requires the commission to provide for a de novo public hearing on an application for a coastal development permit and an appeal brought pursuant to the act, as provided.

This bill would require an appeal of an action by a local government on a coastal development permit application to be considered properly submitted if the appealing party or parties submit to the executive director a completed, signed copy of the appeal form provided by the commission within the applicable timeline, as provided. The bill would require, for purposes of an appeal of an action on a coastal development permit application by a local government or a port governing body, the commission to provide for de novo review and a public hearing on the coastal development permit application, as provided, if the commission determines that a substantial issue exists with respect to the grounds on which the appeal has been filed.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. July 16, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 103, Statutes of 2026.
2. July 16, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. July 15, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m.
4. July 2, 2026In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. July 2, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 70. Noes 0. Page 5985.) Ordered to the Senate.
6. June 25, 2026Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
7. June 24, 2026From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 24).
8. June 9, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
9. May 18, 2026Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
10. April 30, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
11. April 30, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 4114.) Ordered to the Assembly.
12. April 28, 2026Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.