Jackson’s bill, which was endorsed by the coastal commission, passed the Senate un-amended earlier this year. A stalled bill to prohibit behind-the-scenes communications at the California Coastal Commission survived in the Legislature Thursday, but lawmakers weakened it with amendments that would allow the controversial practice to continue for developers and elected officials. The report reached that conclusion although at least four other studies by the Legislature and the Coastal Commission indicated that an ex-parte ban would have no financial impact and, in some cases, might save money. Her bill also would have prevented the coastal commissioners from trying to influence the agency’s staff in the preparation of reports and recommendations related to commission business. — Sara Wan, a former coastal commissionerThe bill, however, emerged from the committee with five amendments, including one that would — in effect — allow private ex parte communications to take place between developers and coastal commissioners during visits to project sites.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 12, 2016 02:07 UTC