AB 2696: Coastal protection: findings and declarations.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified February 24, 2026

What AB 2696 does, verified February 24, 2026

The bill aims to preserve California's natural and scenic resources along the coast by requiring careful planning and development in the coastal zone. It makes nonsubstantive changes to existing findings and declarations regarding the need to protect the state's coast. The bill seeks to ensure that development in the coastal zone is carried out in a way that preserves the state's natural and scenic resources.

Bill journey

1IntroducedCurrent

2In CommitteePending

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. (2026-02-21)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Cottie Petrie-NorrisAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions2 total · showing 2

Feb. 21, 2026	From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
Feb. 20, 2026	Read first time. To print.

Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 20, 2026 · 319 words

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2696

Introduced by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris

February 20, 2026

An act to amend Section 30001 of the Public Resources Code, relating to public resources.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2696, as introduced, Petrie-Norris. Coastal protection: findings and declarations.

Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, provides for the protection of California’s coast and 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. The act makes various findings and declarations regarding the need to preserve the state’s natural and scenic resources along the coast and ensure that development in the coastal zone is carefully planned and developed.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 30001 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

30001.

The Legislature hereby finds and ~~declares:~~ declares all of the following:

(a) That the California coastal zone is a distinct and valuable natural resource of vital and enduring interest to all the people and exists as a delicately balanced ecosystem.

(b) That the permanent protection of the state’s natural and scenic resources is a paramount concern to present and future residents of the state and nation.

(c) That to promote the public safety, health, and welfare, and to protect public and private property, wildlife, marine fisheries, and other ocean resources, and the natural environment, it is necessary to protect the ecological balance of the coastal zone and prevent its deterioration and destruction.

(d) That existing developed uses, and future developments that are carefully planned and developed consistent with the policies of this division, are essential to the economic and social well-being of the people of this state and especially to working persons employed within the coastal zone.

Text of AB 2696 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions