2025 legislation tracker
✅ Bills we support ❌ Bills we oppose
(Updated 10/15/25)
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~ Final Priority Bills ~
The below are bills that Surfrider actively engaged on or signed on in support of during this year's legislative session, which ended Sept. 12. Governor Gavin Newsom then had until Oct. 12 to sign or veto those bills sent to his desk. Final status of each bill is noted.
Plastic Pollution
This bill would, on and after January 1, 2027, prohibit a person from selling, distributing, or offering for promotional purposes in this state a cleaning product, as defined, or a personal care product in a rinse-off product, containing one ppm or more by weight of plastic microbeads that are used as an abrasive, as specified. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2028, prohibit a person from selling, distributing, or offering for promotional purposes in this state a coating, as defined, cleaning product, or personal care product, that contains one ppm or more by weight of plastic microbeads that are not used as an abrasive. By adding these prohibitions to the Plastic Microbeads Nuisance Prevention Law, the bill would impose the civil penalty for violations of these prohibitions. (Vetoed by Governor Newsom 10/11. Read his veto note here.)
This bill would require the California Coastal Commission, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, by July 1, 2027, to identify, based on specified considerations, infill areas within at least 3 local jurisdictions that do not have a certified local coastal program for a categorical exclusion from the coastal development permitting requirement. Specifically, until June 30, 2037, if a development in one of those identified infill areas is a residential housing project comprised only of units that are deed restricted for persons of very low, low, or moderate income, as specified, this bill would categorically exclude the development from that requirement. (Signed into law by Governor Newsom 10/6.)
Beach Access
This bill would exempt the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Los Angeles County, and in any county that is subject of a Governor state of emergency declaration that involved damage to housing after February 1, 2025, from the requirements of the Coastal Act. As written, the Coastal Act exemptions are far too broad and ripe for abuse. We're working with the author's office to find language that expedites ADU construction in the Coastal Zone while protecting beach access and coastal resources. (Signed into law by Governor Newsom 10/10.)
~ Active Bills We Support ~
This bill would require the Controller to continue to annually transfer $30,000,000 from the General Fund, less any amount transferred to the Habitat Conservation Fund from specified accounts and funds, to the Habitat Conservation Fund indefinitely, and would continuously appropriate that amount on an annual basis in the same proportions, indefinitely. (Signed into law by Governor Newsom 10/3.)
✅ SB 630 (Allen): State Parks Streamlines ability for State Parks to acquire new lands. (Signed into law by Governor Newsom 10/13.)
~ Bills of interest moved to "Inactive" status during legislative session ~
The below are bills that Surfrider either engaged on or tracked at the start of the legislative session that ended up being held in committee or otherwise stalled. Some may be reintroduced in 2026.
Ocean Protection
This bill would prevent the State Lands Commission from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. (Withdrawn due to passing of SB 237 – widely opposed by environmental and EJ organizations – which boosts oil production in Kern County while providing some protections against offshore oil drilling.)
Coast & Climate
Would overturn California Coastal Commission's action on the increased launch cadence at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Bill raises separation of powers questions.
This bill would would require the state Coastal Conservancy to establish criteria and an application process for designating an area of the coastline as a state surfing reserve. L ocal governments could apply for this designation, allowing them to identify conservation measures to protect and restore the ecosystems and natural resources surrounding surf breaks. California’s cherished surfing areas are being threatened by climate change, coastal erosion and pollution. A lack of official recognition of California’s surfing areas prevents the state from elevating urgently needed coastal stewardship opportunities. Support letter.
This bill would allow for limited issuance of emergency permits to work necessary to protect life and property from a sudden, unexpected occurrence; or immediate repairs to public service facilities necessary to maintain service in the wake of a disaster in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor. After working with the author's office to amend the bill to ensure Coastal Act protections against shoreline armoring are not undermined, we have opted to support.
Plastic Pollution
This bill would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2026, a person from selling, distributing, or offering for sale a new or refurbished disposable, battery-embedded vapor inhalation device in this state. The bill would define a “disposable, battery-embedded vapor inhalation device” to mean a vaporization device that is not designed or intended to be reused, as specified. Support letter.
Known as the "Leash the Lid" law, this bill would delete that authorization. The bill would instead require, on and after January 1, 2027, if a beverage is subject to the act and offered for sale in a plastic beverage container with a plastic cap, beverage manufacturers to ensure that the container has a cap that is tethered to the container that prevents the separation of the cap from the container when the cap is removed from the container by the consumer. Campaign page.
Clean Water
This bill would authorize Otay Mesa East Port of Entry toll revenues to be used to assist in the maintenance of the IBWC wastewater treatment plant and the development of additional sanitation infrastructure projects related to the Tijuana River.
This bill would require the board, by June 1, 2026, to establish guidance for stormwater capture and use for the irrigation of urban public lands, as defined. The bill would require the guidance to include, but not be limited to, the use of captured stormwater for irrigation to offset the use of potable water, as specified, and criteria for among other things, pathogens and pathogen indicators and total suspended solids. Support letter.
The goal of the bill is to put Clean Water Act tools into state law to maintain protections we had before the 2023's Sackett v. EPA decision. The bill would ensure the state maintains its 303(d)/TMDL standards, creates state permits that are as stringent as current Clean Water Act permits, help with Water Board enforcement, and provides a state citizen suit provision. Support letter.