INSIDE
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June 19 – June 25, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
Santa Monica College Launches Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate See Page 4
Santa Monica Coastal Permitting Bill Revised After Agreement With Coastal Commission The agreement marks a major shift from the bill's original proposal, which drew criticism from environmental organizations.
A state bill that initially sought to exempt some Santa Monica projects from California Coastal Commission review has been significantly revised following an agreement between state officials, the commission and the city. Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur announced this week that Assembly Bill 1740 has been amended after negotiations between his office, the California Coastal Commission, the City of Santa Monica and advocacy groups. The revised legislation would no longer create the broad permitting exemptions proposed earlier this year. Instead, it establishes a framework intended to help Santa Monica complete and implement a certified Local
Coastal Program, or LCP. Under California law, cities with certified Local Coastal Programs can approve most coastal development permits locally rather than requiring separate approval from the Coastal Commission, while remaining subject to state oversight and appeals procedures. The agreement marks a major shift from the bill's original proposal, which drew criticism from environmental organizations and beach access advocates who argued it would reduce Coastal Commission oversight within Santa Monica's coastal zone. When introduced, AB 1740 would have allowed qualifying "urban multimodal communities" to approve certain projects
without individual coastal development permits from the commission. The exemptions included some transportation projects, outdoor dining expansions, temporary events and certain housing developments. Supporters argued the measure would reduce permitting delays that have affected projects in Santa Monica, including transportation improvements and business investments. Critics, including the Surfrider Foundation, warned the bill could weaken environmental review and public oversight of coastal development. Under the revised bill, Santa Monica would instead be placed on a timeline toward completing a certified Local Coastal Program. The legislation includes
reporting requirements and accountability measures intended to track the city's progress. The measure also creates a statewide expedited approval process for bicycle, pedestrian and transit projects designed to improve public access to coastal areas. The Coastal Commission would be required to collect and report data on approvals, denials and pending applications under the new process. As part of the agreement, the California Coastal Commission has withdrawn its opposition to AB 1740 and is expected to consider a support position at its July meeting.
LA County DA Nathan Hochman Urges Passage of Tougher DUI Penalties Under Braun’s Law Sponsored by prosecutors and MADD, Senate Bill 907 closes legal loopholes for repeat DUI offenders.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman called on state lawmakers to pass a bipartisan reform package aimed at dramatically increasing penalties for repeat drunk drivers and vehicular manslaughter. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 907, advanced to the State Assembly Public Safety Committee after securing a unanimous 36-0 vote in the State Senate on May 26, 2026. Authored by Senator Bob Archuleta, D-Los Angeles, and co-
sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving alongside the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the CA Safe Roads Coalition, the bill introduces severe sentencing enhancements for chronic offenders. A central component of the package is designated as "Braun’s Law" to honor Braun Levi, an 18-year-old Loyola High School student killed by a repeat drunk driver, Jenia Belt, in Manhattan Beach last year. The provision mandates that any
motorist whose driving-under-theinfluence charges are dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense must still receive a formal "Watson Warning." This advisory formally notifies drivers that operating a vehicle while intoxicated is inherently dangerous to human life, establishing the legal groundwork to file second-degree murder charges if they subsequently cause a fatal crash. Beyond closing the advisory loophole, SB 907 targets repeat offenders by implementing automatic sentencing
enhancements for any individual convicted of a new felony driving-under-the-influence offense or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated who holds a prior felony conviction on their record. The bill also boosts prison sentences for drivers who commit a hit-and-run causing injury or property damage if they have been convicted of an impaired driving violation, a wet reckless charge, or vehicular manslaughter within the preceding 10 years.