AB 1526 Summary

• Extends the Underground Injection Control Program reporting requirement from October 1, 2024, to October 1, 2029, with repeal on January 1, 2030.

• Extends fugitive emissions study from idle and abandoned oil and gas wells until January 1, 2029, moving deadlines for results posting to January 1, 2026, peer review completion to July 1, 2026, and public availability to January 1, 2028.

• Authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to adopt regulations allowing waivers of the one-time limitation for converting less than 3 acres to nontimber use, with a process for appeal of denial.

• Modifies the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act to include food service wraps and bags in covered materials, require local jurisdiction cost transfers through fee mechanisms, and rename the surcharge as the "environmental mitigation surcharge" with updated payment procedures.

• Expands the architectural paint recovery program to include aerosol coating products with implementation by January 1, 2027, requires stewardship plans or amendments by July 1, 2026, and shifts annual reporting deadline to May 15 with aerosol product data required starting in 2028.