Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025.

Assembly Member Addis proposes establishing a Climate Superfund program requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related damages caused by their historical greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation would create a new funding mechanism for climate mitigation and adaptation projects across California.

Under the program, the California Environmental Protection Agency would identify companies that produced over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions globally between 1990-2024 through fossil fuel extraction or refining operations. These "responsible parties" would be required to pay a proportional share of California's total climate-related damages through 2045, as determined by a comprehensive climate cost study to be completed within one year.

The collected funds would be deposited into a new Climate Superfund to support qualifying climate projects, with at least 40% directed to disadvantaged communities facing climate impacts. Eligible projects include energy efficiency improvements, clean energy deployment, infrastructure decarbonization, climate resilience measures, and disaster response capabilities.

Companies can pay their assessed costs in full or opt for 20 annual installments. The program includes administrative procedures for companies to challenge their designation or cost assessment, while establishing enforcement mechanisms including late payment penalties and potential business license suspension for non-compliance. The California EPA and Attorney General would oversee enforcement.

The bill specifies that these new requirements supplement rather than replace existing climate policies and preserve all current legal rights related to climate damages. Implementation would begin immediately upon passage, with responsible parties identified within 90 days and initial cost assessments completed within one year.