BILL NUMBER: AB 2198INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Brough FEBRUARY 18, 2016 An act to add Section 30616 to the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2198, as introduced, Brough. Coastal development permits: desalinization facilities. The California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the planning and regulation of development in the coastal zone, as defined, under a coastal development permit procedure, based on various coastal resources planning and management policies set forth in the act. The act requires any person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, as defined, to obtain a coastal development permit, except as specified, from the California Coastal Commission or from a local government. This bill would require an application for a coastal development permit for a desalinization project, as described, to be given priority for review, and would require the issuing agency to expedite the processing of any such permit application. Because these provisions would impose additional duties on local governmental entities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 30616 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 30616. (a) An application for a coastal development permit for a desalinization project shall be given priority for review, and the issuing agency shall expedite the processing of any such permit application. (b) For purposes of this section, "desalinization project" includes any project or facility involving the desalinization of coastal waters that is intended to increase water supply and provide public and environmental benefits to the state. SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.