CA SB253

Requires large corporations with over $1 billion in annual revenues doing business in California to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) annually starting in 2026, with Scope 3 disclosures beginning in 2027.

Mandates that all disclosed emissions be verified through independent third-party assurance engagements, with limited assurance for Scopes 1 and 2 beginning in 2026 and reasonable assurance by 2030.

Requires the State Air Resources Board to adopt regulations by January 1, 2025, and contract with an emissions reporting organization to create a publicly accessible digital platform displaying all corporate emissions data and state analysis.

Creates the Climate Accountability and Emissions Disclosure Fund through annual fees paid by reporting entities; funds are continuously appropriated to the State Air Resources Board to implement and administer the program.

Authorizes the State Air Resources Board to impose administrative penalties up to $500,000 per year for violations, with protection from penalties for good-faith Scope 3 emissions disclosures and limited penalties for non-filing between 2027 and 2030.