AB 2214: Ocean Protection Council: microplastics.

Existing law, the California Ocean Protection Act, establishes the Ocean Protection Council in state government to coordinate activities of state agencies that are related to the protection and conservation of coastal waters and ocean ecosystems to improve the effectiveness of state efforts to protect ocean resources within existing fiscal limitations, among other duties. Existing law requires, to the extent that funds are available from bonds or other sources, including from federal, state, academic, or other public or private entities, on or before December 31, 2024, the council to adopt and implement a Statewide Microplastics Strategy related to microplastic materials that pose an emerging concern for ocean health.

This bill would require, on or before March 1, 2025, the council to establish and lead an interagency coordination group, and would require the council, in coordination with the interagency coordination group, to identify and recommend to the Legislature, on or before December 31, 2025, statutory changes that are needed to implement the recommendations described in the Statewide Microplastics Strategy, as specified. The bill would require the council, in coordination with the interagency coordination group, to adopt a workplan, on or before December 31, 2025, outlining which participating agencies within the interagency coordination group will implement the recommendations. The bill would require the workplan to be provided to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2025. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2029.