AB-773 • 2026

Marine resources: copper-based antifouling paint: standards, studies, and best methods.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Dixon
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 official source material does not provide specific details on the costs and potential delays in implementation.

Marine Resources: Copper-Based Antifouling Paint

This law requires state agencies to collaborate and study copper-based antifouling paint, suspending enforcement of regulations until guidelines are established.

What This Bill Does

Suspends enforcement of regulations about copper-based antifouling paint until certain requirements are met.
Requires the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation to collaborate on determining best methods for regulating this type of paint.
Asks for studies on low-leach-rate paint effectiveness and elevated copper concentrations in saltwater areas due to copper-based antifouling paint use.
Requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation to reevaluate copper-based antifouling boat paints by 2028.
Necessitates posting guidelines online about managing high levels of copper from this paint.

Who It Names or Affects

Boat owners who use copper-based antifouling paint
State agencies like the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation

Terms To Know

Antifouling Paint: A type of paint used on boats to prevent marine life from attaching to the hull.
Low-Leach-Rate Paint: Paint that releases fewer harmful substances into water over time.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the requirements are not met by the deadlines.
It is unclear how much this will cost to implement and study.
There may be delays in posting guidelines online due to unforeseen issues.

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.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-04-21 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.
2025-03-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 773, as amended, Dixon.
Marine resources: copper-based antifouling
paint.
paint: standards, studies, and best methods.
Existing law, the California Ocean Resources Stewardship Act of 2000, finds that it is the policy of the state to, among other things, ensure adequate coordination of ocean resources management science among state, regional, and federal agencies and marine science institutions, as provided.
This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation to suspend enforcement of their regulations relating to copper-based antifouling paint, as specified, until certain requirements are satisfied, including that the board and the department collaborate to determine the best methods to regulate the use of copper-based antifouling paint within the state, and the board, the department, and regional water quality control boards agree on and release guidelines that
provide for the uniform enforcement of the copper-based antifouling paint regulations throughout the state. The bill would provide that, until the end of the suspension of the enforcement of those regulations, all boats that are painted with a copper-based antifouling paint that is approved by the department are considered to be in compliance with any regulation relating to copper-based antifouling paint.
This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2028, the Department of Pesticide Regulation to complete a reevaluation of copper-based antifouling boat paint products, and to make the determination to retain, modify, or suspend its standards or to place new appropriate standards on the chemical composition or use of copper-based antifouling paints. The bill would require, on or before June 1, 2027, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water
Resources Control Board, regional water control boards, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation to collaborate on active studies related to the effectiveness of low-leach-rate paint and elevated copper concentrations in saltwater harbors, bays, and marinas that are primarily a result of the use of copper-based antifouling paint, and would require the Department of Pesticide Regulation to finish and release these studies. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2028, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the State Resources Control Board, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation to collaborate to determine the best methods to address elevated copper concentrations in saltwater harbors, bays, and marinas that are primarily a result of the use of this paint in the state. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2028, the California Environmental Protection Agency to post on its internet website these best methods.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF