(a) The conservancy shall prepare a lower cost coastal accommodations assessment that includes, at a minimum, all of the following elements:

(1) (A) A description of specific opportunities to improve existing and develop new lower cost accommodations on coastal public lands and coastal lands owned or operated by nonprofit organizations, including a list of potentially suitable sites for the location of these accommodations.

(B) For purposes of the description required by this paragraph, all of the following shall apply:

(i) Lands may include, but are not limited to, state, regional, and local parks, lands held by harbor or open space districts, lands owned by the public but not yet designated as parks, lands owned by nonprofit organizations, and national parks and other federally managed lands.

(ii) Qualifying accommodations may include, but are not limited to, campgrounds, cabins, and hostels.

(iii) A site for potential lower cost accommodations shall not be included in the assessment without consultation from the agency or nonprofit organization that owns or operates the site. A site shall not be included in the assessment if so requested by the entity that owns or operates the site.

(2) An analysis of daily occupancy or rental rates, based on geographic location, seasonality, and other relevant factors, that the conservancy will consider for purposes of identifying existing lower cost accommodations as well as potential future projects for program support. Any analysis developed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be interpreted to conflict with any rights and responsibilities of the Department of Parks and Recreation to establish rental rates or fees for accommodations within its jurisdiction.

(3) Data and analysis regarding the existing supply of and need for lower cost coastal accommodations within the program area, anticipated costs of new project development, and the supply of lower cost accommodations relative to population within 150 miles of the California coast.

(4) Criteria for prioritizing investment of program funds in lower cost accommodation projects, such as any applicable legal requirements that may apply to those funds, geography, the vulnerability of potential projects to sea level rise or coastal hazards, existing disparities in park or coastal access, availability of public agency or nonprofit partners, adequacy of existing infrastructure and services, and financial feasibility.

(5) A description of needed and anticipated measures to ensure that accommodation projects that may be supported by the program will be consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 31412.

(6) A list of appropriate public and private funding sources and potential financing mechanisms to support development and operation of lower cost accommodation projects.

(b) (1) The conservancy shall update the assessment not less than every five years, and maintain a current list of potential lower cost accommodation projects that may be implemented, subject to available funding.

(2) Each five-year update of the assessment shall include an evaluation of the conservancy’s implementation of the program over the preceding five years, and shall describe any recommended changes that may be needed to improve the program’s effectiveness.

(Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 838, Sec. 3. (AB 250) Effective January 1, 2018.)