CA SB1263

Ocean Protection Council must adopt and implement a Statewide Microplastics Strategy by December 31, 2024, to address microplastic pollution in California's marine environment, subject to available funding from bonds or other sources.

Council shall collaborate with State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and other entities, and may contract with marine research institutes including UC, Cal State, Stanford, and California Ocean Science Trust to conduct research.

Strategy must include comprehensive research plan, standardized sampling methods, characterization of microplastic concentrations and impacts, source investigation, risk assessment framework, reduction approaches, and policy recommendations.

Council must submit Statewide Microplastics Strategy to Legislature by December 31, 2021, and submit implementation report with findings and recommendations by December 31, 2025.

Reporting requirements sunset on December 31, 2025 and 2029 respectively, and the strategy may be incorporated into the existing California Ocean Litter Prevention Strategy.