Judicial Branch Actions Responding to COVID-19

May 6, 2020 - However, these rules can provide courts with some flexibility in implementing them. In addition, individual courts develop Local Rules of Court tha t govern their operations. These rules must be consistent with federal or state law and the California Rules of Court.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4227

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - The decision included the following footnote: “Because any permitting scheme can be put towards abusive ends, we do not rule out constitutional challenges to shall-issue regimes where, for example, lengthy wait times in processing license applications or exorbitant fees deny ordinary citizens their right to public carry. ” This footnote suggests that there may be a point where firearm regulatory fees become unconstitutionally high.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

Improving California’s Criminal Fine and Fee System

Jan 5, 2016 - Based on our assessment of existing criminal fines and fees, we recommend excluding two types of fines and fees from being deposited to the General Fund —fish and game assessments and victim restitution orders.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3322

A Status Report: Reducing Prison Overcrowding in California [Publication Details]

Aug 5, 2011 - Supreme Court issued a ruling in a lawsuit against the state involving prison overcrowding. Specifically, the court upheld the ruling of a federal three–judge panel requiring the state to reduce overcrowding in its prisons to 137.5 percent of its “design capacity” within two years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2504

The 2017-18 Budget: Governor’s Criminal Fine and Fee Proposals

Mar 3, 2017 - Accordingly, we recommend the Legislature require that nearly all fine and fee revenue, excluding those subject to certain legal restrictions (such as monies collected for violations of state law protecting fish and game), be deposited into the General Fund for subseque nt appropriation by the Legislature in the annual state budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3600

Overview and Update on the Prison Receivership

Nov 8, 2023 - At the time of the three ‑judge panel ruling, the state prison system was operating at roughly 188  percent of design capacity —or about 39,000 people more than the limit established by the three ‑judge panel.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4813

The 2017‑18 Budget: Implementation of Proposition 57

Apr 6, 2017 - Eligible inmates earn good conduct credits when they avoid violating prison rules and/or participate in certain workgroups, such as fire camps. Statute prohibits some inmates, such as third strikers, from earning good conduct credits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3648

The 2023-24 Budget: Judicial Branch Budget Proposals

Feb 10, 2023 - Finally, as of the writing of this brief, it is unclear whether a court ruling could delay or prevent impleme ntation of the CARE Program, such as if a court rules in favor of the group of disability and civil rights advocates seeking to block implementation of S B  1338 .
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4673

The 2022-23 Budget: Judicial Branch Proposals

Feb 3, 2022 - Judicial Council has adopted certain rules related to the workload formula to determine how to allocate discretionary funding increases provided in the annual state budget. While these rules have changed over the years, since 2018 ‑19, increased discretionary funding provided in the state budget is first allocated to the 15 smallest trial courts to ensure they receive 100  percent of their workload formula identified needs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4513

State Correctional Spending Increased Despite Significant Population Reductions

Feb 4, 2020 - Specifically, the court ruled that in order for CDCR to provide such care, overcrowding would have to be reduced to no more than 137. 5  p ercent of the design capacity of the prison system. (Design capacity generally refers to the number of beds that CDCR would operate if it housed only one inmate per prison cell.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4145