AB-1744 • 2026

Environmental advertising: sunscreen.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Addis (A) , Hart
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Coms. on JUD. and E.Q.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for using terms without breaking the law.

Sunscreen Advertising Rules

AB-1744 makes it illegal to claim sunscreen products are safe for reefs or oceans unless they do not contain harmful chemical filters.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law to represent in advertising or on labels that a sunscreen product is reef-safe, ocean-safe, or similar without proof of being free from certain chemicals.
Requires sunscreens labeled as safe for marine life to be free of chemical ultraviolet filters.
Violations are punishable by misdemeanor.

Who It Names or Affects

People selling and advertising sunscreen products in California
Consumers buying sunscreen products

Terms To Know

Chemical ultraviolet filters: Certain chemicals used in sunscreens that can harm marine life.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill only applies to products sold within California.
It is unclear how enforcement will be carried out.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on JUD. and E.Q.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 2.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 1.) (May 14).
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-03-11 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 10). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2026-03-03 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and P. & C.P.
2026-02-06 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 8.
2026-02-05 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1744, as amended, Addis.
Environmental advertising: sunscreen.
Under existing law, it is unlawful for any person to make any untruthful, deceptive, or misleading environmental marketing claim, whether explicit or implied. A violation of this requirement is a misdemeanor.
This bill would make it unlawful for a person to represent in advertising or on the label or container of any sunscreen product, as specified, sold in the state, that the product is “reef safe,” “reef friendly,” “ocean safe,” “marine safe,”
or any other term implying
“ocean friendly,” “marine conscious,” “reef conscious,” or a similar term or phrase likely to cause a reasonable consumer to believe that
the product does not harm marine ecosystems
unless the product is free of chemical ultraviolet filters, as specified. A violation of the bill would be a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF