Larry Klein
Mayor
Linda Sell
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
September 12, 2025
The H
onorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE:
Assembly Bill 996 (Pellerin): Public Resources: sea level rise plans –
REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
Dear
Governor Newsom,
The C
ity of Sunnyvale requests you sign AB 996 into law. We joined the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) to support AB 996 (Pellerin), which would provide local governments tools as they develop plans that incorporate the best available science to mitigate and adapt to impacts of sea level rise.
In 2023, SB
272 (Laird) was chaptered into law, which requires coastal and bay cities and counties to develop sea level rise plans by 2034 and receive approval from the state in both the bay area and the coastal zone. Bay jurisdictions are tasked with deve loping sub-regional shoreline adaptation plans for approval by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and coastal jurisdictions are required to incorporate the sea level rise plan into their local coastal programs (LCPs) for approval by the California Coastal Commission (Commission). For the coastal cities and counties, their LCPs are comprised of a Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan and when they receive certification from the Commission, the local government retains its permitting authority for coastal development permits (CDPs).
AB 996 w
ould provide supportive tools for local governments in the development of a sea level rise plan. The bill would provide that existing sea level rise information or plans that a local government has prepared may satisfy one or all the components of the sea level rise plans. Some coastal cities and counties have done extensive work to assess sea level rise vulnerability. This provision would clarify that local government does not need to do duplicative planning, if the existing materials can satisfy t he sea level rise plan requirements. The bill would also create an early consultation process for the cities and Attachment 2
The Honorable Gavin Newsom, Governor
September 12, 2025
counties in the coastal zone to engage and consult with the Commission, about the preparation of new or amended LCPs to ensure formal submission of sea level rise plan materials are sufficient for a complete review. Early consultation is intended to provide enhanced communication between the Commission and local governments and provides opportunity for the Commission to written recommendations to local governments to ensure an efficient and timely submission and approval processes.
As 996 aligns with existing City policy including:
• Prepare for risks and hazards related to climate change prior to their occurrence (General Plan LT-1.11) and to analyze and disclose possible impacts of climate change on development projects or plan areas, with an emphasis on sea level rise ( LT-1.11d)
• Protect shoreline area from sea level rise and coastal flooding (Climate Action Playbook Strategy 6, Play 6.2)
• Advocate that Sunnyvale’s infrastructure and community assets are considered and protected as the Bay Area plans and constructs resiliency and restoration projects and advocate that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proceed with studies in a timely manner (Council Policy 7.4.14 3(c))
For these reasons, we support AB 996 and request that it be signed into law . Please do not hesitate to contact me or Ramana Chinnakotla, Director of Environmental Services at [email protected], if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
cc: Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab
Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens
Assembly Member Gail Pellerin
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Ramana Chinnakotla, Director of Environmental Services
Attachment 1
Attachment 2