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June 30, 2026 - In 2011, California shifted responsibility for incarcerating and supervising certain adult felony populations from the state to counties. The state also shifted a portion of tax revenues to counties to cover the additional costs. These changes were part of a larger shift of responsibilities known as the 2011 realignment. Pursuant to Chapter 96 of 2023 (AB 1080, Ta), this report provides information on how various aspects of the realignment of adult felony populations have been implemented and evaluates the results.
March 18, 2026 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight
February 26, 2026 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
February 23, 2026 - For over three decades, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has faced litigation for providing unconstitutional levels of prison mental health care, in part due to chronic vacancies among mental health staff. In this report, we provide an overview of CDCR’s mental health system, assess ongoing efforts to address mental health vacancies as well as additional steps that could be taken to reduce vacancies, and make recommendations aimed at bolstering the state’s ability to recruit and retain sufficient mental health staff.
February 23, 2026 - The 2026-27 Budget: Estimated State Savings From Proposition 47
February 11, 2026 - In this post, we provide an overview of the Governor's proposed 2026-27 budget for the Department of Justice and analyze several proposals to fund the department's firearm-related workload.
October 24, 2025 - The 2025-26 budget provides $17.3 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs, including support for program operations and capital outlay projects. This is a decrease of $569 million, or 3 percent, below the revised 2024-25 level.
June 12, 2025 - In this report, we provide background on trends in retail theft over the past decade, discuss some of the possible contributors to these trends, describe recent retail theft-related law changes, and outline key questions that the Legislature may want to ask as it continues to provide oversight of this issue.
March 13, 2025 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 On Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
February 25, 2025 - Senate Committee on Public Safety and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 On Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
February 19, 2025 - In this post, we provide an update and comments on the implementation of a new firearm and ammunition tax that went into effect beginning July 2024.
February 12, 2025 - In this brief, we provide an overview of the proposed funding for the judicial branch in 2025-26. We also analyze the Governor’s budget proposals to increase discretionary funding to the trial courts and start a capital outlay project to construct the new Tracy Courthouse in San Joaquin County.