Budget Trends and Highlights

Position Growth

• 2022-23: 172.3 positions
• 2023-24: 192.0 positions
• 2024-25: 193.0 positions (projected)

The Commission shows steady growth in staffing, with a notable increase of nearly 20 positions from 2022-23 to 2023-24, and a further modest increase planned for 2024-25.

Budget Fluctuations

Total budget by fiscal year (in thousands):

• 2022-23: $43,156
• 2023-24: $71,519
• 2024-25: $39,289 (projected)

Key funding sources for 2024-25:

• General Fund: $26,211,000
• Federal Trust Fund: $3,684,000
• Reimbursements: $3,955,000
• Coastal Act Services Fund: $1,901,000
• California Beach and Coastal Enhancement Account: $1,426,000

Major Projects and Initiatives

Coastal Management Program

The Commission's primary program focuses on implementing coastal resources conservation through planning and regulation. Key activities include:

1. Local Coastal Programs (LCPs)

• Review and approval of LCPs
• Oversight of port master plans
• Management of university long-range development plans

2. Development Oversight

• Review of coastal development permit applications
• Monitoring and enforcement of permits
• Federal activity consistency reviews

3. Public Access and Environmental Protection

• Protection and expansion of public coastal access
• Implementation of coastal water quality protection
• Coastal and ocean resource public education

4. Energy and Infrastructure

• Oversight of offshore energy projects
• Review of power plant development
• Assessment of liquefied natural gas facilities

Administrative Structure

The California Coastal Commission is governed by 12 voting members appointed by:

• Governor
• Senate Rules Committee
• Speaker of the Assembly

The Commission operates under the California Coastal Act of 1976 and serves as the principal state coastal management agency for federal Coastal Zone Management Act implementation.

Program Areas

1. Coastal Planning and Regulation
2. Permit Review and Compliance
3. Public Access and Recreation
4. Marine Resource Protection
5. Environmental Protection
6. Energy and Industrial Development

Support Functions

• Accounting and Business Services
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Technical Assistance and Education

Funding Allocation Process

The Commission's funding is allocated across multiple sources to ensure comprehensive coastal management:

1. Core Operations

• General Fund allocation for basic operations and staffing
• Federal Trust Fund support for coastal zone management
• Reimbursements for specific services and projects

2. Special Programs

• California Environmental License Plate Fund for environmental initiatives
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for climate change-related projects
• Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund for voluntary tax contribution programs

3. Project-Specific Funding

• Coastal Act Services Fund for permit processing
• State Coastal Conservancy Fund for collaborative projects
• Beach and Coastal Enhancement Account for specific enhancement initiatives

The Commission prioritizes funding based on:

• Statutory requirements under the Coastal Act
• Federal consistency review obligations
• Public access and environmental protection needs
• Local coastal program support and implementation
• Enforcement and compliance activities