SB 253, sponsored by California Environmental Voters, would require the Air Resources Board (ARB), on or before January 1, 2025, to develop and adopt regulations requiring U.S. business entities with total annual revenues in excess of $1,000,000,000 (one billion dollars) and that do business in California, defined as “reporting entities,” to publicly disclose to an emissions registry (a nonprofit emissions registry contracted by the ARB), and verify, starting in 2026 on a date to be determined by the ARB, and annually thereafter, their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, categorized as scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, as defined, from the prior calendar year.
This bill would require reporting entities to disclose their GHG emissions in a manner that is easily understandable and accessible to residents of the State.
This bill would also require the ARB, on or before July 1, 2027, to contract with the University of California, the California State University, a national laboratory, or another equivalent academic institution to prepare a report on the public disclosures made by reporting entities to the emissions registry.
This bill would also authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil action against a reporting entity, in the name of the people of the State of California, seeking civil penalties for violations of these provisions.
Committee Location: APPROVED March 15 in the Senate Env. Quality Committee. Also referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Coalition Sign-on Letter of Support.
Full bill text and related info.
Bill Author: Senator Scott Wiener: 