SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 963, authored by Senator John Laird, passed the California Legislature today with bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration. The legislation brings greater clarity and predictability to the coastal development permitting process by establishing consistent timelines for the California Coastal Commission to act on appeals of Coastal Development Permits.

“Good government depends on clear and consistent processes,” said Laird. “SB 963 creates a more predictable appeals process while fully preserving the Coastal Commission’s authority and the protections of the Coastal Act.”

Under current law, the Coastal Commission must act quickly to determine whether an appeal raises a “substantial issue,” but there are no deadlines for the steps that follow. SB 963 fills that gap by establishing standardized timelines for review and final decisions on appealed projects.

After determining that an appeal raises a substantial issue, SB 963 would require the Coastal Commission to provide applicants with a complete list of any additional information needed within 30 days. The Commission would then have 30 days to review any additional information submitted and would be required to hold a hearing and issue a final decision within 180 days after receiving all requested materials.

By creating a more predictable appeals process, SB 963 will provide greater certainty for local governments, project applicants, and coastal communities while preserving the Coastal Commission’s oversight authority and the environmental protections of the Coastal Act.

SB 963 passed the Legislature without opposition and is supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including environmental organizations, pro-housing groups, and the California Coastal Commission.