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<ns0:Id>20250SB__104898AMD</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-12</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-04-06</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Becker</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthor: Senator Gonzalez)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bonta and Garcia)</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Becker</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
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<ns0:Name>Gonzalez</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
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<ns0:Name>Bonta</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Garcia</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to add Article 8 (commencing with Section 51480) to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>pupil instruction</ns0:RelatingClause>
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<ns0:Subject>State Seal of Climate Literacy.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law establishes the State Seal of Civic Engagement to recognize pupils who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and participation and have demonstrated an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government, as provided, and establishes the State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would establish the State Seal of Climate Literacy for the purpose of giving high school
pupils personal agency to help them and their communities understand and adapt to the effects of climate change. The bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on or before March 15, 2027, to recommend to the State Board of Education criteria for awarding a State Seal of Climate Literacy to pupils who have demonstrated mastery in climate literacy disciplines, green skills or technical green skills, as defined, and any and all other best practices for climate literacy. The bill would require the
Superintendent, in developing the criteria, to consider including (1) the successful completion of at least 2 approved courses in the area of climate literacy and (2) the successful completion and presentation of a climate literacy final experiential learning project, as provided. The bill would require the Superintendent to also recommend to the state board the criteria necessary to award a State Seal of Climate Literacy with specified distinctions. The bill would require the state board, on or before May 1, 2027, to adopt, or adopt with modifications, the criteria recommended by the Superintendent. The bill would require the Superintendent to, among other things, prepare and deliver to participating local educational agencies an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Climate Literacy by the Superintendent. The bill would make a local educational agency’s participation in
awarding the State Seal of Climate Literacy voluntary. For a local educational agency that chooses to participate, the bill would require the local educational agency to, among other things, establish a process for determining if a pupil has met the criteria necessary to earn a State Seal of Climate Literacy and on or before
September 15, 2027, and on or before September 15 of each year thereafter, provide specified data to the State Department of Education.</html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Article 8 (commencing with Section 51480) is added to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the
<ns0:DocName>Education Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>8.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:LawHeadingText>State Seal of Climate Literacy</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:Num>51480.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
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The State Seal of Climate Literacy is established for the purpose of giving high school pupils personal agency to help them and their
communities understand and adapt to the effects of climate change.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A local educational agency’s participation in awarding the State Seal of Climate Literacy to pupils under this article is voluntary.
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_8253E13D-1AA0-4046-973D-F610E5794089">
<ns0:Num>51481.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_2C01EBF9-5D77-4254-9752-2B422912E6C8">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before March 15, 2027, the Superintendent shall recommend to the state board criteria for awarding a State Seal of Climate Literacy to pupils who have demonstrated mastery in climate literacy disciplines, green skills or technical green skills, and any and all other best practices for climate literacy. In developing criteria for the State Seal of Climate Literacy, the
Superintendent shall consider including both of the following criteria:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Successful completion of at least two approved courses in the area of climate literacy. Approved courses may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
High-school-level or advanced placement courses that cover physical science, life science, or earth science.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Dual or concurrent enrollment, career technical education, or high-school-level
courses that integrate climate literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Courses that integrate the state’s environmental principles and concepts pursuant to Section 71301 of the Public Resources Code or courses that integrate the state’s Seeds to Solutions curriculum.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Successful completion
and presentation of a climate literacy final experiential learning project that focuses on the causes and effects of climate change in the pupil’s local community and demonstrates an academic understanding of climate literacy through the practical application of climate literacy that addresses local climate issues present in the pupil’s community. Final projects may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A capstone project centered on the pupil’s community and the community’s effect on climate change.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Field experiences or practica related to the coursework described in paragraph (1).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Internships, externships, or employment with climate literacy or green career experiential learning providers.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One or more community projects with a climate literacy experiential learning provider.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Hands-on laboratory experiments.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Original artwork or writing.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Pupil-led and designed programming that has an effect on the pupil’s community and other pupils.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Superintendent shall also recommend to the state board the criteria necessary for a participating local educational agency to additionally award to a pupil who meets the requirements for the State Seal of Climate
Literacy, one or both of the following distinctions:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A State Seal of Climate Literacy with Industry Distinction to recognize a pupil who demonstrates proficiency in technical green skills through coursework or the pupil’s final experiential learning project together with an
authorization for a local educational agency to identify the technical green skills needed for a climate-impacted or green career by collaborating with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A State Seal of Climate Literacy with Higher Education Distinction to recognize a pupil
who earns college credit in attaining the State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In developing criteria pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), the Superintendent may partner with nonprofit organizations and shall ensure, to the greatest extent feasible, that the criteria adhere to all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide all pupils with an opportunity to earn the State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Recognize pupil excellence and outstanding achievement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Are not based primarily on pupil achievement that is already
recognized through grades or other standard measures of pupil achievement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Result in a seal that confers a benefit to pupils beyond high school.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before May 1, 2027, the state board shall adopt, or adopt with modifications, all criteria recommended by the Superintendent pursuant to this section.
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_9779263D-EDCD-4E63-B9F5-330E3183406F">
<ns0:Num>51482.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Superintendent shall do all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Prepare and deliver to participating local educational agencies an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Climate Literacy by the Superintendent.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Superintendent may partner with
nonprofit organizations to determine the best design for the insignia described in paragraph (1) and the fulfillment of the insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide other information it deems necessary for local educational agencies to successfully participate in awarding the State Seal of Climate Literacy to pupils.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Superintendent may partner with nonprofit organizations to provide the information pursuant to paragraph (1), which may include any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Guidance or
criteria to support implementation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sample project frameworks.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Professional development resources.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Guidance for developing partnerships with community-based organizations, industry leaders, or institutions of higher education.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide information to pupils who earn a State Seal of Climate Literacy about postsecondary opportunities and career pathways that leverage the knowledge and skills that pupils develop through earning the State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Superintendent may partner with nonprofit, labor, or private sector organizations to provide the information pursuant to paragraph (1).
</html:p>
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_86F8263B-E093-4CB7-9461-3D32825A57E9">
<ns0:Num>51483.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_414783C7-9BB7-4252-9E83-1B8002BBB4F2">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>After the state board adopts criteria for the State Seal of Climate Literacy pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 51481, a participating local educational agency shall do all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide information to pupils about available options and supports, including, but not limited to, approved courses, experiential learning, or final projects that pupils may complete to meet the criteria to earn a State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Establish a process for determining if a pupil has met the criteria necessary to earn a State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before
September 15, 2027, and on or before September 15 of each year thereafter, provide all of the following data to the department:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The names of schools that awarded the State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The number of pupils from each school of the local educational agency that received a State Seal of Climate Literacy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Evidence of how pupils who received a State Seal of Climate Literacy met the adopted criteria, including, but not limited to, any final projects, coursework, or providers that the pupils worked with.
</html:p>
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_21773DBB-6619-4DDD-9203-BA9D017C8886">
<ns0:Num>51484.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_67B59D19-B1DF-49BE-BA6A-868F61882EFA">
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<html:p>For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Climate literacy” means an understanding of the essential principles of the earth’s climate system, assessing scientifically credible climate information, learning to communicate about the climate in a meaningful manner, and making informed and responsible decisions regarding actions that may affect the climate.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Climate literacy experiential learning provider” means a provider that facilitates a pupil’s final project, including, but not limited to, a school organization or club, local media outlet, business, nonprofit organization, or industry focused on green skills or technical green skills.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Green jobs” or “green career” means occupations or employment positions that reduce harmful effects on the climate, adapt processes to minimize their effect on the climate, recognize and mitigate the disproportionate social effects of climate change, support the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of communities, or contribute to the well-being and resilience of present and future generations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Green skills” means the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes to live in, develop, and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Technical green skills” means skills that fulfill the requirements of green jobs and that support the transition to a low-carbon sustainable economy.
</html:p>
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