With the legislative session coming to a close, Surfrider is celebrating major victories! Thanks to Surfrider’s chapters and clubs, and grassroots activists who helped pass these significant pieces of legislation.
Victories
Strengthened the Statewide Plastic Bag Ban
SB 1053 was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024. This law improves California’s initial ban to ensure consumers use either reusable or paper bags. The legislation requires stores to provide paper bags with a minimum of 50% postconsumer recycled material and continue to encourage consumers to use reusable bags.
Surfrider was pivotal in passing the nation’s first statewide bag ban ten years ago. Since then, we’ve seen an overall decline in plastic bags, but the thicker plastic bags are still causing problems. These disposable plastic bags are not recyclable, harm wildlife and our environment, clog sewage drains, contaminate our drinking water, and break down into toxic microplastics that accumulate in our oceans and landfills.
Defended the Coastal Act
Surfrider was successful in defeating four bills that proposed to change the California Coastal Act. These bills were SB 951 (Weiner), SB 1077 (Blakesepear), SB 1092 (Blakespear) and AB 2560 (Alvarez). All four bills were amended to remove development exemptions from the Coastal Act, which marked a victory for Surfrider's 2024 Defend the Coastal Act Campaign.
The Coastal Act is the state’s bedrock coastal access and protection law. We support effective policies for affordable housing in the Coastal Zone but do not support undermining the Coastal Act. We maintain that affordable housing opportunities should not be seen as mutually exclusive from coastal resource and access protections - a diversity of Californians should be able to access and live along our coastline; and we should be able to maintain the shoreline's sensitive ecosystems and healthy beaches.
Surfrider, therefore, strongly supports the reinforcement of the Coastal Act with policies that proactively address inequities. Learn more about this victory here.
Clean Border Water Now
The Pacific coastline along the U.S./Mexico border is steeped in rich multicultural identities, contains immense biodiversity, and contributes high economic value to both countries. Yet, this region is plagued by severe pollution that threatens public health, limits coastal access, hurts ecosystems and wildlife, and jeopardizes local economies and national security.
Every day, millions of gallons of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and trash flow across the U.S./Mexico border, impacting 20 miles of international coastline and hundreds of thousands of people who live in, work in, and visit this region. The toxic flows cause beach closures in South San Diego County and widespread illnesses on both sides of the border.
This is a grave public health crisis and one of the most significant environmental justice issues in the United States.
Two resolutions, SJR 18 and AJR 12, passed which represent legislative recognition of the public health emergency.
Unfortunately, the three bills Surfrider supported, SB 1208, SB 1178, and AB 1597 did not pass.
Learn more about this critical program here.
What’s Next: Prop 4
California voters have the opportunity to pass a ballot initiative this November which provides a roadmap for a $10 billion climate bond. This funding would go towards protecting California’s coasts and preparing for sea level rise, preserving natural areas, ensuring clean water, creating parks and green space, preventing wildfires, and building out clean energy infrastructure.
This bipartisan legislation passed during the 2024 legislative session.
Prop 4 offers the opportunity to pivot from expensive disaster response to investing in a more secure climate future for our state. Surfrider Foundation endorses this bill and urges Californians to vote Yes on Prop 4. The future of our prized coastlines, clean water, and safe, resilient communities depend on it.
Learn more about Prop 4 here.
Our work continues - we’re always looking for volunteers and invite you to join or donate to our cause.