Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025.
- Establishes a Climate Superfund Program requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages from 1990-2024.
- Requires companies responsible for over 1 billion metric tons of emissions to pay their proportional share of damages.
- Mandates that 40% of collected funds benefit disadvantaged communities impacted by climate change.
- Creates enforcement mechanisms including business license revocation for companies that fail to pay assessed costs.
Senator Menjivar's Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act establishes a program requiring fossil fuel companies to fund California's climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation creates a mechanism to assess costs against entities responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1990-2024.
The California Environmental Protection Agency will identify responsible parties within 90 days and conduct a comprehensive climate cost study within one year to quantify damages through 2045. Companies must then pay their proportional share of total damages, calculated based on their emissions relative to global totals. Firms can opt to pay their assessed amount in full or in 20 annual installments.
The collected funds will support qualifying climate projects, with at least 40 percent directed to disadvantaged communities facing climate impacts. Eligible expenditures include disaster preparedness, energy efficiency improvements, workforce development, agricultural practices, and natural resource protection. The program requires regular evaluation by the Legislative Analyst's Office to assess effectiveness and recommend improvements.
The legislation preserves existing legal remedies related to climate damages and includes enforcement provisions such as late payment penalties and potential business license suspension for non-compliance. An urgency clause enables immediate implementation upon passage to address ongoing climate threats to public safety and welfare.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | PASS |
 Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Roger NielloR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Benjamin AllenD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Eloise ReyesD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Ash KalraD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
- Establishes a Climate Superfund Program requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages from 1990-2024.
- Requires companies responsible for over 1 billion metric tons of emissions to pay their proportional share of damages.
- Mandates that 40% of collected funds benefit disadvantaged communities impacted by climate change.
- Creates enforcement mechanisms including business license revocation for companies that fail to pay assessed costs.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Senator Menjivar's Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act establishes a program requiring fossil fuel companies to fund California's climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation creates a mechanism to assess costs against entities responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1990-2024.
The California Environmental Protection Agency will identify responsible parties within 90 days and conduct a comprehensive climate cost study within one year to quantify damages through 2045. Companies must then pay their proportional share of total damages, calculated based on their emissions relative to global totals. Firms can opt to pay their assessed amount in full or in 20 annual installments.
The collected funds will support qualifying climate projects, with at least 40 percent directed to disadvantaged communities facing climate impacts. Eligible expenditures include disaster preparedness, energy efficiency improvements, workforce development, agricultural practices, and natural resource protection. The program requires regular evaluation by the Legislative Analyst's Office to assess effectiveness and recommend improvements.
The legislation preserves existing legal remedies related to climate damages and includes enforcement provisions such as late payment penalties and potential business license suspension for non-compliance. An urgency clause enables immediate implementation upon passage to address ongoing climate threats to public safety and welfare.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | PASS |
Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Roger NielloR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Benjamin AllenD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Eloise ReyesD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Ash KalraD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted |