Zbur’s coastal permitting bill clears the Legislature
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Westwood Village) announced yesterday that his bill establishing a clear path for Santa Monica to complete its Local Coastal Program certification passed the Legislature and now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
AB 1740, co-sponsored by the City of Santa Monica and Streets For All, reflects an agreement reached earlier this year among Zbur, the city, the California Coastal Commission, and housing, environmental and mobility advocates to address longstanding coastal permitting challenges while preserving the state’s coastal protections.
Under the bill, Santa Monica will move forward with completing a certified Local Coastal Program, allowing most Coastal Development Permits to be processed locally rather than requiring separate Coastal Commission approval. The bill sets timelines, accountability measures and reporting requirements for both the city and the commission to ensure the program is completed and implemented.
“AB 1740 shows what we can accomplish when we bring people together around the shared goals of protecting our coast, expanding public access, and helping coastal communities thrive. This bill puts Santa Monica on a clear and accountable path toward regaining local permitting authority while making it easier for communities across California’s coastal zone to advance bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements that connect more people to our coast. I’m proud of the collaborative work that got us here, and I urge Governor Newsom to sign AB 1740 into law,” said Zbur.
The bill also establishes a statewide expedited process for bike, pedestrian and transit improvements that enhance public access to the coastal zone, requiring the Coastal Commission to collect and report data on approvals, denials and pending applications under the new process.
It also authorizes the commission to grant expedited, de minimis approvals statewide for bicycle, transit or pedestrian right-of-way projects the director finds will enhance coastal access.
Barger urges Bonta, Paramount back to the table
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday called for California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount to resume settlement talks after negotiations over the company’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery broke down this week.
“The breakdown in settlement discussions this week is disappointing. I urge Paramount and Attorney General Bonta to return to the table and work toward an expedited resolution of this case,” said Barger.
“Los Angeles County’s film and television industry is already facing enormous challenges. Prolonged uncertainty will only add to the pressure facing local productions, workers, and our regional economy. We’ve lost far too many entertainment jobs and productions in recent years, so preserving this industry’s presence in Los Angeles County must remain a priority,” said Barger.
Barger’s statement adds a third county-level voice to the ongoing dispute, following Mayor Karen Bass’s earlier call for a swift settlement, which drew a public split from her mayoral runoff opponent, LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, and criticism from the Writers Guild of America. A recent LA County Department of Economic Opportunity report found the merger could put roughly 4,500 local film and TV jobs at risk.
“I will continue doing everything within my power to ensure Los Angeles County supports this vital industry and the tens of thousands of workers who depend on it. At a time when our region is fighting to keep productions and jobs here, we need greater certainty, not months of additional uncertainty. I urge both parties to resume discussions and pursue a resolution,” said Barger.
Mitchell slams mail-in voting restrictions taking effect
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Compton, Carson) criticized the Trump administration yesterday after a federal judge temporarily allowed the administration’s restrictions on mail-in voting to take effect, as attorneys general from 24 states, including California, continue challenging the rule in court.
“Trying to add barriers to voting by mail is more of the same from the Trump administration’s attempts to suppress the voices and votes of the people. We have seen this playbook before, and we will not be discouraged or stop fighting to protect the right to vote, in all its forms,” said Mitchell.
“An insidious part of the Trump playbook is to spread confusion and fear to prevent people from voting at all, regardless of whether his plan is ultimately blocked in court. LA County is committed to doing all we can to ensure that does not happen and that our residents have the facts. We will continue to uphold our responsibility to provide an accessible and fair election process,” said Mitchell.
The judge’s ruling is not final, and Trump’s restrictions could still be blocked as litigation continues.
“Access to fair and open elections is inextricably tied to democracy and must be protected. I want to thank California, along with the 23 other states and countless advocacy organizations, that are not backing down and have said enough. This is a dynamic issue that is rapidly changing, so we will continue to follow it closely. I encourage all residents to do the same, stay informed, know the facts, and vote,” said Mitchell.
Whitesides targets Antelope Valley predator dumping
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, portions of San Fernando Valley) introduced legislation yesterday aimed at stopping the disproportionate placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities like the Antelope Valley.
The Stop Predator Dumping Act would mandate a new nationwide placement framework for sexually violent predators, establishing strict proximity limits that prohibit placing offenders within 10 miles of each other and barring repeated placements in a single county subdivision until all other subdivisions in that county have received a placement.
For counties with populations over 1 million, the bill would cap any single county governing district, such as the Antelope Valley at-large, from housing more than 25% of a county’s total sexually violent predators. The legislation also directs the Department of Justice to study and issue best practices to states, and establishes a federal grant program to help states implement them.
“For too long, communities like the Antelope Valley have been treated as dumping grounds for Sexually Violent Predators, while other areas share none of the burden. This legislation ensures a fair and transparent approach to SVP placements nationwide. We must prioritize the safety of our communities and ensure no single region is forced to bear this burden alone,” said Whitesides.
