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: 2026-04-13
Official status: Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on which chemical filters are banned or how to prove that a sunscreen is safe for marine life.

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 that a sunscreen product is reef-safe, ocean-safe, or similar without proof of being free from certain chemical ultraviolet filters.
Requires sunscreens labeled as safe for marine life to be free of specified chemical ultraviolet filters.
Violations are punishable by misdemeanor.

Who It Names or Affects

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

Terms To Know

Chemical ultraviolet filters: Certain chemicals used in sunscreens that can harm marine life.
Misdemeanor: A type of crime that is less serious than a felony but more serious than an infraction.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify which chemical filters are banned.
The bill has passed the legislature, but it is unclear if and when it will become law.

Bill History

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