The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Proposal

Feb 24, 2026 - Despite the aviation sector ’s relatively small contribution to GHG emissions, policymakers have shown significant interest in addressing aircraft emissions as the sector is viewed as among the more difficult to decarbonize.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5139

The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - In our view, making significant changes to the basic structure of the credit on a regular or ongoing basis is problematic. This is because frequent changes to the approach could increase customer confusion and make bills more unpredictable.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - In our view, it typically makes sense to try to maintain existing funding commitments. However, as we discuss in our January 2026 publication, The 2026‑27 Budget: Overview of the Governor’s Budget , the state faces alarming multiyear budget deficits, ranging from $20 billion to $35 billion annually.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California

Sep 30, 2021 - Additionally, in CalFire ’s view, educating homeowners is more effective and less administratively burdensome than issuing citations. In our survey, 43 l ocal agencies (excluding contract counties) reported the number of citations issued for noncompliance with state laws or local ordinances regarding defensible space.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - In our view, the Legislature should apply a very high bar to such proposals, particularly in light of projected deficits and the need to balance new commitments against existing program obligations. To that end, we offer criteria the Legislature could use in reviewing these proposals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2025-26 Budget: May Revision Trailer Bill Proposals on the Delta Conveyance Project and Water Quality Control Plans

May 27, 2025 - Our recommendation to defer action on this proposal reflects our view that the Legislature should have sufficient time to fully consider both the broader project and the proposal ’s specific provisions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5053

Overview of New Updates to the Cap-and-Invest Program

Dec 9, 2025 - Accordingly, GGRF funds can continue to be viewed as akin to tax revenues and be legally available to expend for any purpose. This allows the Legislature flexibility to use GGRF for its highest priorities —including activities to reduce GHGs but potentially also climate adaptation initiatives, offsetting consumer costs, or other purposes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

The 2025-26 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Proposals at May Revision

May 19, 2025 - However, the administration indicates that it views all of the existing allocations as pending negotiation with the Legislature. Additionally, the Governor has indicated a priority that any new spending plan include at least $1  billion per year annually for the high-speed rail project.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

The 2025-26 Budget: Natural Resources and Agriculture Discretionary Spending Proposals

Feb 18, 2025 - We  therefore find that the Legislature should view this proposal as a new and distinct set of projects and evaluate their merits accordingly. Key Question Is Whether Improvements to Nonstate ‑Owned Infrastructure Are a Top Priority Given Current Budget Constraints.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4967

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2023 - (That is, in our view, these costs would not have occurred absent legislative action and as a result do not contribute to the budget problem the Legislature faces today.) Comparison to LAO November Outlook.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662