Marine Carbon Initiative.

Budget Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Muratsuchi
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact details of how grants will be awarded are not specified in the bill.

Marine Carbon Initiative

This law establishes a Marine Carbon Initiative to advance research and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Marine Carbon Initiative with objectives to advance research on marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration.
Requires the State Air Resources Board to establish the Marine Carbon Council by July 1, 2027, consisting of seven members chosen for their expertise in relevant fields.
Sets up a Marine Carbon Research Program starting August 1, 2028, which awards grants and other financial incentives for eligible marine carbon dioxide removal projects.
Requires the council to submit biennial reports on findings and progress starting January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Air Resources Board
Scientists studying ocean carbon removal
Organizations applying for grants to remove or store carbon dioxide in the ocean

Terms To Know

Marine Carbon Initiative: A program that advances research and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration.
Marine Carbon Council: A group of experts chosen by the State Air Resources Board to advise on marine carbon dioxide removal methods and technologies.

Limits and Unknowns

The initiative requires annual funding approval by the Legislature.
Details about how grants will be awarded are not specified in this bill.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-05-06 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-05-05 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 29).
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2025-04-01 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and W. P., & W.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1086, as amended, Muratsuchi.
Marine Carbon Initiative.
Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to establish a Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program to capture, remove, and store carbon dioxide, as provided. Existing law requires the state board to develop a centralized public database to track the deployment of specified carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology or equipment and carbon dioxide removal activities that use technologies or engineered strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as specified, and the development of carbon dioxide capture, removal, or sequestration projects throughout the state.
This bill would require the state board to establish the Marine Carbon Initiative and would set forth the objectives of the initiative, including advancing the body of research and scientific understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal
and sequestration. The bill would require the initiative to include the Marine Carbon Council (council) and the Marine Carbon Research Program (program). The bill would require the state board, on or before July 1, 2027, to establish the council to advance the science and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration methods and technologies. The bill would require the council to consist of 7 members chosen by the state board who would be selected on or before August 1, 2027, and would specify the selection process for, and the qualifications of, the council. The bill would require the council, by July 1, 2028, to report to the state board with recommendations on marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration, as specified. The bill would require the state board, on or before August 1, 2028, to establish the program, and would require the state board to administer the program in consultation with the council. The bill would require the program to award grants on a competitive basis, and
other financial incentives the state board may designate, for eligible marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration projects, as specified. The bill would require the council, on or before January 1, 2029, and biennially thereafter, to submit a report to the Legislature that, at minimum, summarizes the findings and progress of the council in its work, as provided. The bill would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the sum of $2,000,000 to be allocated to the state board annually for no less than 7 years to fund the program.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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