CA AB953

Requires the Ocean Protection Council to implement a statewide voluntary vessel speed reduction and sustainable shipping program for the California coast by January 1, 2026, in coordination with air quality districts and federal agencies to reduce air pollution, whale strike risks, and underwater noise impacts.

Program shall expand the existing Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program and may include marketing, data collection on ship speeds and whale strikes, incentives based on distance traveled at reduced speeds (10 knots or less where available), and development of speed reduction zones along the coast.

Applies only to vessels that are 300 gross tons or greater and excludes ocean territories already covered by other vessel speed reduction programs or memoranda of understanding entered into before January 1, 2024.

Council may impose additional qualifying criteria on participants to receive incentives, including maximum speeds or transit average speeds.

Council must submit a report to the Legislature by December 31, 2026 regarding program implementation, with the reporting requirement expiring on December 31, 2030.