The Salton Sea: A Status Update

Aug 29, 2018 - Effectively responding to conditions at the Salton Sea represents a considerable and costly challenge for the state in the coming years. This report provides a status update on conditions and activities at the Salton Sea.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3879

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive

Feb 24, 2026 - However, given the number of existing programs and policies aimed at incentivizing ZEVs, a potential for duplication exists, which would create challenges. As we discuss in our December 2018 report, Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Transportation , such challenges can include (1) program interactions that can affect cost‑effectiveness, (2) difficulty evaluating programs,(3) potential lack of program coordination, and (4) increased administrative costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Governor ’s Budget Does Not Materially Address These Challenges. While the Governor has acknowledged both the downside risk to the state ’s revenue picture and the multiyear deficits, the proposed budget does not include material actions to address either challenge.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Feb 10, 2026 - This report provides a framework to help the Legislature approach funding environment-related programs within the context of the state's budget challenges.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5116

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

Mar 18, 2026 - The protracted time line reflects the complexity of balancing multiple — often competing —goals , ongoing and potential legal challenges, and the board ’s willingness to allow time for development of a VA proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

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

Feb 10, 2026 - We recommend the Legislature (1)  assess whether these additional activities are consistent with legislative intent, as well as whether they are high priorities for funding given the state ’s serious budget challenges and (2)  make corresponding changes to the level of staffing and funding provided, as relevant.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions

Feb 17, 2026 - Additionally, positions can be vacant due to recruitment challenges, labor market constraints, or operational or practical considerations (for example, a department may still be filling a position after a recent employee dep arture), rather than as an indication of reduced program workload.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - SWRCB also reports increases in workload to investigate and respond to challenges from regulated entities about which waters are considered WOTUS. The 2024-25 State Budget Provided Resources to the Water Boards to Respond to New Workload.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

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

May 27, 2025 - The proposed changes that would shorten the time line for legal challenges also could have a similar effect —weeding out frivolous lawsuits, but also disqualifying legitimate challenges from less well-resourced parties who could not meet the tightened deadline.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5053

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

Feb 24, 2026 - We note that the state is already projected to face future transportation funding challenges due to existing trends and policies that increase zero ‑emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, which in turn will reduce diesel and gasoline excise tax revenues.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5139