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 two key entities: a Marine Carbon Council to advance scientific understanding of marine carbon removal methods, and a Marine Carbon Research Program to fund eligible projects through competitive grants.

The seven-member Marine Carbon Council, to be appointed by July 2027, will evaluate various approaches including ocean alkalinity enhancement, electrochemical engineering, macroalgae cultivation, and artificial upwelling. The council must represent diverse expertise in marine chemistry, ecology, and ecosystem conservation while maintaining geographic balance across California counties. By July 2028, the council will deliver recommendations on research priorities, environmental impact metrics, and potential pathways for commercial deployment.

The Marine Carbon Research Program, launching in August 2028, will distribute $2 million annually for at least seven years to qualifying projects with California-based partners. The State Air Resources Board will administer the program in consultation with the council and coordinate implementation across multiple agencies including the Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Ocean Protection Council. Funded projects must provide public updates on their research findings, with the council submitting biennial progress reports to the Legislature starting January 2029.