RELEASE: Governor Newsom Signs Climate Resiliency Bill into Law - AB 1011 Incentivizes Habitat Restoration Projects to Protect California’s Coast

SACRAMENTO—In an effort to incentivize nonprofits to undertake projects that provide habitat restoration and improved public access to coastal resources, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris has worked with the Coastal Commission to pass Assembly Bill 1011 to provide fee-waivers to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The bill was unanimously approved by the legislature and was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Nonprofits have a long history of protecting California’s environment, and CalNonprofits is pleased to have supported this sensible measure making it easier for nonprofit to carry out much-needed habitat restoration work,” said Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). “We are grateful to Assemblymember Petrie-Norris for carrying this legislation.”

“In the face of the climate crisis, the active participation of nonprofits in coastal habitat restoration is crucial,” said bill author Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D—Laguna Beach). “The fee-waiver consideration in AB 1011 makes it easy for nonprofits to engage in coastal projects for the public good.”

Any type of development activity in the coastal zone requires a Coastal Development Permit. The Coastal Commission’s fee schedule for habitat restoration and public access improvement varies depending on the size of the project. Applicant fees can cost anywhere from $2,500 upward to $40,000.

AB 1011 is supported by: Audubon California, Azul, California Apartment Association, California Coastal Commission, California Coastkeeper Alliance, CalNonprofits, Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club. The legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2020.