California bills targeting PFAS in pesticides, bisphenols in receipts and more have cleared a key legislative deadline, allowing them to proceed to the second half of the session in a state that has consistently been at the forefront of legislating and regulating substances in products.
In total, at least eight chemical-focused bills passed their chamber of origin ahead of the state’s 29 May crossover deadline. The deadline marks the last day a bill can pass its chamber of origin to be considered by lawmakers in the other chamber. Measures that fail to advance are unable to progress further in this session.
Among the most closely watched bills is a measure that would phase in PFAS restrictions for pesticides ahead of a full ban by 2035, and another that would eliminate bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2029.
Other bills that advanced would mandate ingredient disclosures in children’s diapers, refine oversight of Proposition 65 settlements, create a stewardship programme for refrigerant-containing appliances, and tighten controls on the use and labelling of compostable plastic packaging.
While final passage of the bills is not guaranteed, their advancement signals a continued interest in chemicals regulation among California lawmakers.
PFAS in pesticides
Bill AB 1603 would prohibit the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) from registering new pesticides containing intentionally added PFAS. Existing agricultural pesticides containing PFAS would also be classified as restricted materials from 1 July 2028 under the bill, subjecting them to permit requirements, warning statements and public disclosures.
The measure would then progressively tighten controls, banning 23 specific PFAS in pesticides from 2030.
From 2035, the bill would prohibit the manufacture, sale and use in California of all pesticides containing intentionally added PFAS.
Clean Water Action California is one of the environmental groups supporting AB 1603. Andria Ventura, the organisation’s legislative and policy director, told Chemical Watch News & Insight that the bill was her top priority in this session, calling it "a careful approach" to address PFAS in pesticides.
The bill now heads to the State Senate, after clearing the State Assembly on 27 May by a vote of 42-21.
Bisphenols in receipts
Another bill (AB 1604) that aims to restrict bisphenols in receipt paper cleared the State Assembly on 26 May with a 70-2 vote. It would ultimately prohibit the use of any bisphenols in receipts and other paper proofs of purchase, requiring manufacturers and retailers to transition to safer alternatives.
As currently written, the measure would prohibit businesses from providing paper proofs of purchase containing intentionally added bisphenol A (BPA) from 2028.
That restriction would then be extended to prohibit all intentionally added bisphenols in receipts from 2029.
Nancy Buermeyer, director of programme and policy for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), said AB 1604 is that organisation’s "primary" focus during this legislative session.
Other states such as Washington, Illinois and Connecticut have also targeted BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper. California lawmakers previously considered a similar bill in 2019.
Other bills that crossed over
Several other bills addressing chemicals in products cleared their chamber of origin ahead of California’s crossover deadline and remain under legislative consideration for the rest of this session.
AB 1901, approved by 68-1 by the Assembly on 26 May, would require manufacturers of children’s diapers to disclose all intentionally added ingredients in order of chemical or raw material weight, both online and on product packaging, from 2029.
AB 2253 would expand existing state law governing recycled content claims for plastic food containers by applying it to all products and requiring those claims to be based on the actual physical recycled material in the product. The Assembly approved the bill by a vote of 42-19 on 27 May.
AB 2577, unanimously approved by the Assembly on 14 May, would tighten oversight of Prop 65 settlements by requiring courts to find that agreements are "in the public interest". It would also require reductions in chemical exposure or, in certain cases, compliant warnings, and establish a process for courts to adjust attorneys’ fee awards when the attorney general objects.
SB 1010, approved by 30-9 by the Senate on 27 May, would establish a statewide producer responsibility programme for household appliances containing refrigerants – including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers – by requiring manufacturers to finance and implement systems for collection, refrigerant recovery, recycling and safe end-of-life management of those products.
Two other bills related to compostable plastic packaging also survived the crossover deadline and will now proceed in the other chamber despite industry opposition.
AB 1812 would refine California’s rules for products labelled as compostable by requiring certification or approved standards and, from 2027, prohibit the sale of compostable plastic products.
The other bill, SB 1031, would tighten labelling requirements for products marketed as compostable and require a state study on the health effects of degraded compostable plastics.
Next steps
The bills will now proceed to the opposite chamber for further committee hearings and floor consideration before potentially returning to their house of origin for concurrence.
Lawmakers must pass bills by the end of California's legislative session on 31 August.
Governor Gavin Newsom (D) would then have until the end of September to sign or veto any bills approved by the state legislature, or take no action, in which case the bills would become law without his signature.