S&C Memos

California Air Resources Board Initial Public Workshop on Climate Reporting Under SB 253 and SB 261

Full Memo

June 3, 2025

Bill Sponsor Noted Statutory Reporting Timeline Under SB 253 is “Holding Firm” While CARB Stated Intention to Publish “Draft Regulations” on SB 253 by the End of 2025; CARB Presented Initial Staff Concepts and Invited Further Public Input on “Doing Business,” Scope 3 and Other Key Concepts

On May 29, 2025, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) held a “kick-off” public workshop to support the development of California’s climate reporting programs under Senate Bill 253 and Senate Bill 261.
In opening remarks from California state senators and SB 253/261 bill sponsors Scott Wiener and Henry Stern, Senator Wiener stated that the statutory reporting timeline under SB 253 is “holding firm.” CARB staff stated during the workshop that the staff is aiming to issue “draft regulations” to implement SB 253 by the end of the year.
The approximately four-hour long workshop had over 3,000 attendees, with questions and comments from the public comprising about half of the session. During the workshop, CARB staff outlined its general rulemaking process and timeline, discussed initial staff concepts for implementing key elements of SB 253 and SB 261 and posed additional questions for public input. CARB staff acknowledged stakeholder concerns about compliance challenges, emphasized its intention to continue engaging with the public throughout the rulemaking process and encouraged the public to participate in additional workshops and public engagement in the coming months.

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