Watershed event
Updates on California climate laws & the temporary pause on SB 261
- Date
- Time
The Ninth Circuit has temporarily paused enforcement of California’s climate risk disclosure law, SB 261, while it reviews a legal challenge by the Chamber of Commerce. This does not decide the case but delays implementation until the court’s review, with a hearing set for January 9, 2026. SB 253 is not paused, with first reports due August 10, 2026.
Join Watershed’s General Counsel, Rob Chesnut, and Partner at Ropes & Gray, Michael Littenberg, for a rapid-reaction briefing and live Q&A on what happened, what’s likely next, and what companies should do now.
We cover:
- What the SB 261 pause means—and doesn’t—for 2026 planning.
- Key dates: Jan 9, 2026 hearing for SB 261; SB 253 reports due August 10, 2026.
- What companies should prioritize in the meantime (SB 253 prep, calibration of SB 261 readiness).
- How Watershed supports SB 253, including our Guaranteed Assurance Program to de-risk first submissions.
