A December appellate court ruling declared the California Coastal Commission unconstitutional because the majority of its members are appointed by the Legislature, which violates the separation of powers.

Opponents of this ruling say that it could jeopardize more than 100,000 coastal permits issued in the past 27 years. According to this ruling, the commission would not have the power to grant or deny coastal development permits or issue cease-and-desist orders to developers who violate coastal protection rules. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer immediately filed an appeal, asking the state Supreme Court to reverse the ruling. <p.According to he new legislation, which was approved this week, most of the commissioners would still be appointed by lawmakers but they would be given fixed, four-year terms. The Coastal Commission would continue regulating development on the coastline.

Gov. Gray Davis has indicated that he will sign the bill.