Tracker
SB 253 tracker
A dated log of what the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has published about SB 253, what it has only proposed, and related court activity. Every entry links to its source and is labeled so you can tell a confirmed item from a proposal or a secondhand report.
Last updated:
This is an independent summary, not legal advice, and it may be out of date. Always check CARB's program page and the court dockets before relying on any date. For background, read the SB 253 timeline guide.
How entries are labeled
- Confirmed
- Stated in a CARB document we read.
- Announced, not final
- Published by CARB but not yet shown as final or effective.
- Proposed only
- Presented by CARB staff as a proposal. Not an adopted rule.
- Reported by secondary sources
- Reported by law firms or other secondary sources. We could not confirm it in a primary document.
Coming up
Announced, not final
First Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting date in CARB's modified text
CARB's July 27, 2026 modified text moves the first Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting date from August 10, 2026 to November 10, 2026. We found no source showing that the regulation has received final approval, so treat this date as announced rather than final and check CARB before relying on it.
Log, newest first
Reported by secondary sources
CARB reportedly posts 2026 reporting guidance and opens a voluntary intake platform
A September 2, 2026 law-firm alert reports that CARB published additional 2026 reporting guidance the previous day and opened a voluntary online platform for submitting reports. We could not open CARB's guidance document ourselves.
Confirmed
Comment period on the modified text closes
The deadline for public comment on CARB's July 27, 2026 modified regulation text.
Reported by secondary sources
Law firm reports the regulation still needs Office of Administrative Law approval
An August 7, 2026 law-firm alert reports that CARB intended to resubmit the regulation package to the Office of Administrative Law after the comment period on the modified text. We found no source showing final approval as of our last review.
Confirmed
CARB publishes modified regulation text
CARB's Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text changes the first Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting deadline from August 10, 2026 to November 10, 2026, moves the written fee-determination notice deadline from September 10 to December 10, and states that Scope 3 reporting is not required for the 2026 reporting year. Comments were due August 11, 2026.
Proposed only
CARB staff preview proposed rules for 2027
At a July 21, 2026 workshop, CARB staff proposed requiring Scope 3 reporting starting in 2027 for five categories (purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, waste generated in operations, business travel and employee commuting), and limited assurance of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions beginning with reports submitted in 2027. These are proposals for a future rulemaking, not adopted rules.
Confirmed
CARB workshop: no template or limited assurance required in 2026
CARB's March 23, 2026 workshop slides state that the Scope 1 and 2 template and limited assurance are not required in 2026.
Confirmed
CARB Board approves the initial regulation
Board Resolution 26-1 approved the initial regulation, including the fee program (Title 17, California Code of Regulations, sections 96070 to 96077), and directed staff to consider conforming changes with at least 15 days of public comment. CARB's news release set August 10, 2026 as the first-year reporting deadline (later moved) and said CARB will use enforcement discretion for good-faith first-year submissions.
Reported by secondary sources
Ninth Circuit hears oral argument in the Chamber of Commerce challenge
The Ninth Circuit heard oral argument in the appeal challenging SB 253 and SB 261 (Chamber of Commerce v. Sanchez, No. 25-5327). A January 22, 2026 law-firm alert reported no ruling yet, and we have not found a reported decision since.
Confirmed
CARB posts the proposed regulation for public hearing
CARB posted the Notice of Public Hearing, Staff Report and Proposed Regulation Text for the initial SB 253 and SB 261 regulation, replacing draft documents posted on December 9, 2025.
Confirmed
CARB posts an SB 261 enforcement advisory
CARB posted an enforcement advisory for SB 261, the related climate-risk reporting law, following the Ninth Circuit's order.
Reported by secondary sources
Ninth Circuit pauses SB 261, not SB 253
The Ninth Circuit granted an injunction barring enforcement of SB 261 while the appeal is pending and denied the request as to SB 253.
Confirmed
CARB publishes an SB 253 enforcement notice
CARB published an enforcement notice for SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act.
Open questions
Items we could not confirm as of our last review:
- Whether the regulation has received final approval from the Office of Administrative Law, and its effective date.
- A per-entity fee amount. We have not confirmed one and do not state one.
- Any adopted CARB rule on assurance-provider qualifications, accreditation or an approved-provider list. We found none.
- A Ninth Circuit decision on the merits of the Chamber of Commerce appeal.