On November 18, 2025, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) convened its third virtual public workshop to discuss implementation of California’s climate disclosure laws, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting under Senate Bill 253 (SB 253) and climate-related financial risk reporting under Senate Bill 261 (SB 261).

November 18, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted a motion for injunction pending appeal that temporarily pauses enforcement of California Senate Bill 261 (SB 261) while the court considers a legal challenge to SB 261, along with Senate Bill 253 (SB 253), brought by a coalition led by the Chamber of Commerce.

The Ninth Circuit agreed to fast-track a case aimed at delaying implementation of SB 261 and SB 253 but did not pause enforcement of the laws before oral argument, leaving SB 261's January 1, 2026, effective date intact.

Exxon filed a complaint in the Eastern District of California to block SB 253 and SB 261, claiming First Amendment violations and federal preemption of climate disclosure laws.

Companies will have to keep waiting for California to issue implementing regulations for SB 253 and SB 261.

In September, the U.S. Department of Justice updated its Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (ECCP) guidance, which is the...