Assembly Member Alvarez's coastal development legislation carves out new exemptions from California's coastal permit requirements for student, faculty, and staff housing projects. The measure modifies the California Coastal Act of 1976, which currently requires coastal development permits for most construction in the state's coastal zones while exempting certain power facilities.

Under the proposed changes, educational institutions could proceed with housing development projects without obtaining coastal development permits, though they must notify the California Coastal Commission within 14 days of starting construction. The bill maintains existing provisions allowing local governments to establish their own coastal permit procedures before certifying their local coastal programs, as well as current exemptions for emergency repairs and highway maintenance work.

The measure references definitions for student, faculty and staff housing projects as outlined in Section 67329.2 of the Education Code. Local governments would retain authority over other aspects of the development process, including land use permits, while the notification requirement preserves a degree of Commission oversight for exempt projects.