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Environment and Natural Resources Publications

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.


 




Handout

Overview of Proposed Climate and Transportation Budget Solutions

March 6, 2024 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation

Brief

The 2024-25 Budget: Sustainable Funding for the Department of Pesticide Regulation

March 5, 2024 - In this post, we assess the Governor's proposal to increase the mill assessment—a tax levied on pesticides when first sold into or within the state—to address the structural deficit within the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s special fund and to support various programmatic expansions for the department.

Handout

Crafting Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Solutions

February 29, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy

Report

The 2024-25 Budget: Insolvency Risks for Environmental and Transportation Special Funds

February 27, 2024 - This report provides information and recommendations for the Legislature to consider regarding various environmental and transportation special funds that are at risk of insolvency.

Brief

The 2024-25 Budget: Salton Sea Management Program

February 26, 2024 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals related to Salton Sea management.

Brief

The 2024-25 Budget: Flood Management Proposals

February 26, 2024 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals related to flood management.

Handout

Overview of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

February 21, 2024 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation

Brief

The 2024-25 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

February 20, 2024 - This posts describes the Governor's $2.3 billion discretionary cap-and-trade expenditure plan proposal.

Report

The 2024-25 Budget: Crafting Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Solutions

February 14, 2024 - This report describes the Governor’s proposed budget solutions within climate, resources, and environmental programs, and provides the Legislature with suggestions for how it might modify the spending plan to better reflect its priorities and prepare to address a potentially larger budget problem.

Handout

The Cap-and-Trade Program: Issues for Legislative Consideration

February 13, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Environmental Quality Committee Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy

Report

Assessing Early Implementation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Requirements

January 4, 2024 - Legislation approved in 2018 established a long-term urban water use efficiency framework to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life,” creating new requirements for urban retail water suppliers across the state. This report responds to a requirement that our office assess implementation of the framework.

Post

California’s Cap-and-Trade Program: Frequently Asked Questions

October 24, 2023 - This post answers commonly asked questions about cap-and-trade—one of the state’s key programs to address greenhouse gas emissions—and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Post

The 2023-24 California Spending Plan: Resources and Environmental Protection

October 16, 2023 - The 2023‑24 budget package provides a total of $19.2 billion from various fund sources—the General Fund, bond funds, a number of special funds, and federal funds—for programs administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and Environmental Protection Agency. This is a net decrease of $15.5 billion (45 percent) compared to 2022‑23 estimated levels. This change is primarily due to a large amount of one-time funding—mostly from the General Fund—provided to departments within both agencies in 2022‑23.

Report

The 2023-24 Budget: California Spending Plan Series

October 2, 2023 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The final version of Overview of the California Spending Plan is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2023-24 budget package. As these posts become available, we will add them below.

Handout

Promoting Electric Reliability; Recent State Actions

August 29, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications

Environment and Natural Resources Staff

Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
 
Sonja Petek
(916) 319-8340
Water, Coastal Development, and Fish and Wildlife
 
Frank Jimenez
(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, Agriculture, and Toxics
 
Luke Koushmaro
(916) 319-8355
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure
 
Sarah Cornett
(916) 319-8329
Air Quality, Energy, and Climate Change
 
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation