Ninth Circuit Declines Delay Of California's Climate Disclosure Reporting Requirement

On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a short order addressing the emergency motion to expedite review of California's Senate Bill 261, the state's climate-related financial risk disclosure law.

In its order, the court granted the motion in part, directing the clerk to immediately assign the case to a merits panel and schedule it for the January 2026 calendar (Docket Entry No. 37; 9th Cir. Gen. Ord. 3.3(g)). The court did not rule on the merits or stay enforcement of the law before the upcoming deadline.

As a result, SB 261's January 1, 2026 effective date remains in place, and covered companies must still prepare to publish their climate-related financial risk reports in accordance with the statute.