Marine Carbon Initiative.

Assembly Member Muratsuchi's Marine Carbon Initiative legislation establishes a comprehensive framework for researching and developing ocean-based carbon dioxide removal technologies in California. The bill creates a seven-member Marine Carbon Council to advance scientific understanding of marine carbon removal methods and a Marine Carbon Research Program to fund eligible research projects through competitive grants.

The council, to be established by April 2026, will identify research priorities across various approaches including ocean alkalinity enhancement, electrochemical engineering, macroalgae cultivation, and coastal ecosystem solutions. Council members, selected through a public nomination process, must represent diverse expertise in marine carbon chemistry, ocean ecology, and conservation while maintaining geographic balance across California counties. The research program, launching by July 2027, will award grants to projects that include California-based partners and focus on technology research, development, and pilot testing.

The legislation institutes an expedited six-month permitting process for funded research projects, coordinating reviews across state agencies including the Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and State Lands Commission. The bill allocates $2 million annually for at least seven years to support the research program, subject to legislative appropriation. The council must submit biennial reports to the Legislature summarizing research findings and progress toward understanding marine carbon dioxide removal's potential role in meeting California's 2045 carbon neutrality target.