Plain English Breakdown
The official text states the bill is enacted but does not provide a specific effective date in the provided excerpts.
Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program
This law requires the Ocean Protection Council to advise coastal air districts on a voluntary program that encourages large ships to slow down near California's coast.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Ocean Protection Council to join as an advisor in the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program, subject to funding availability.
- Supports local air districts in creating rules for a voluntary program where large ships travel at slower speeds along the coast.
- Allows the program to offer incentives to ship operators based on how far they travel while moving slowly.
- Limits participation in this speed reduction plan to vessels that are 300 gross tons or larger.
- Requires air districts to send a report about the program's progress to lawmakers by December 31, 2029.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Ocean Protection Council
- Coastal air pollution control and quality management districts
- Large ships weighing 300 gross tons or more that travel near the California coast
Terms To Know
- Gross tons
- A measurement used to determine if a ship is large enough (300 or greater) to join this program.
- Vessel strikes
- Collisions between ships and whales that the program aims to reduce.
Limits and Unknowns
- The Ocean Protection Council's participation depends on whether money is available.
- Ships smaller than 300 gross tons cannot join this specific speed reduction plan.
- The law does not specify an effective date for when the program begins.