35626.

 (a) The Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network is hereby established in the Ocean Protection Council to provide local governments facing sea level rise challenges with the information and scientific expertise necessary to implement mitigation measures to address the effects of sea level rise by doing all of the following:

(1) Provide technical support and information to local governments on adapting to climate change impacts, including sea level rise.

(2) Connect practitioners undertaking adaptation work with state policy and guidance, useable scientific information, and technical assistance that is both easily accessible and applicable.

(3) Address local governments’ frequently expressed need for a point person to answer their questions and provide real-world advice, guidance, expertise, and examples on how to proceed with adaptation work.

(4) Establish formal partnerships with universities in the state to provide local governments with the latest scientific information regarding impacts of climate change.

(b) The Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network shall be staffed as follows:

(1) Ten full-time equivalent staff shall be located at the Ocean Protection Council and shall have expertise in disciplines essential to climate adaptation work, including expertise in planning, engineering, land use law, finance, and community outreach.

(2) Ten full-time equivalent staff shall be located at regional locations. Staff at regional locations shall develop relationships at the local level and be engaged in local planning and collaborative meetings and efforts. These staff shall work with staff described in paragraph (1) to share information and best practices across the state, disseminate updates and guidance from various state agencies to local governments, and provide feedback from local governments to state policymakers about challenges and needs at the local level.