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

Feb 24, 2026 - There also are a number of other refiners in the United States that currently produce RD and could, with the purchase of some ad ditional equipment, be converted to produce SAF in addition to, or instead of, RD.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5139

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

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

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

Dec 9, 2025 - For example, the new Climate Bureau could serve as a helpful resource to the Legislature, adding valuable capacity to conduct program reviews and evaluations that are independent of the Executive Branch.
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 2024-25 Budget: Flood Management Proposals

Feb 26, 2024 - In our view, the urban flood risk reduction projects (including the state operations activities required to support them) also meet this high threshold for justifying new spending for the reasons described below.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4856

The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight

Mar 18, 2026 - The state added the doubling goal as a narrative water quality objective in the 1995 Bay ‑Delta Plan. Doubling natural production relative to the average annual 1967 ‑1991 baseline would mean nearly 900,000 naturally produced salmon annually.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

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: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - While the Governor ’s administration presented a proposal for how to implement Proposition   4 —consistent with the traditional budget process —the Legislature should view this as a starting place for determining the timing and details of funding allocations.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

The 2022-23 Budget: Zero-Emission Vehicle Package

Feb 23, 2022 - Weighted criteria pollutant reductions are calculated by adding tons of nitrogen oxide emissions, reactive organic gases, and particulate matter. For heavy ‑duty vehicles and equipment, particulate matter reductions are multiplied by 20 to account for the toxic health hazards associated with diesel particulate matter.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4561