CaliforniaCalifornia bans intentionally added bisphenol A in paper checkout receipts starting 2028
Starting January 1, 2028, California will bar making or selling paper checkout receipts containing intentionally added bisphenol A, a chemical used in receipt coatings.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2028, people cannot make, distribute, sell, or offer paper checkout receipts for sale if they contain intentionally added bisphenol A. Starting January 1, 2029, the ban covers all intentionally added bisphenols.
When paper makers replace bisphenols in checkout receipts under this law, they will have to choose the least toxic alternative. They cannot use replacements flagged for cancer risk or reproductive or developmental harm.
California’s toxic substances agency may fine violations of the paper checkout receipt ban up to $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for each later one. It must post substantiated violations or final enforcement actions online.
Argument forBarring intentionally added bisphenol A in paper checkout receipts starting January 1, 2028, could reduce cashiers’ contact with that chemical.
Argument againstPaper makers could have fewer options when replacing bisphenols in checkout receipts because they must choose the least toxic alternative and avoid certain harmful chemicals.
More detail
People and businesses will be barred from making, distributing, selling, or offering covered paper receipts for sale. The bans cover paper receipts given at checkout for goods or services. A bisphenol must be added on purpose to serve a function. Both bans also cover intended breakdown products of chemicals added for that purpose; the 2029 ban covers components of such chemicals. The bisphenol A ban starts on January 1, 2028; the ban on all intentionally added bisphenols starts on January 1, 2029.
Paper makers will have to use the least toxic alternative when replacing bisphenols under this law. These rules cover people who make paper for receipts given at checkout for goods or services. They will be barred from using replacements flagged by federal or state authorities for cancer risk or harm to reproduction or development.
California’s toxic substances agency will be able to enforce the paper checkout receipt ban and set fines case by case. Fines apply to violations of the paper checkout receipt ban. Online posting covers substantiated violations or final actions under both the ban and replacement rules. A first fine may be up to $5,000; each later fine may be up to $10,000. The agency must consider severity, past violations, intent, and cooperation when setting a fine. It must post substantiated violations or final enforcement actions online. It can spend collected fines on enforcement only if lawmakers approve that spending.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 882, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 73. Noes 2. Page 6565.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1604 Stefani Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 25In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1604 Stefani et al. By Allen. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 23Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 23Withdrawn from committee.Major
- Jun 22From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- Jun 17From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Coms. on E.Q. and JUD.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1604 Stefani Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 2. Page 5357.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 16Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Mar 12Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 11From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 10).Major
- Mar 10
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.Minor
- Mar 3From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.Major
- Feb 2Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and JUD.Minor
- Jan 21From printer. May be heard in committee February 20.
- Jan 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
Consumer ProtectionPublic Safety