The 2023-24 Budget: California Volunteers Proposed Program Expansions

Mar 1, 2023 - Recommendation Reject Governor ’s Proposal to Expand and Extend the Climate Action Corps Program. We  recommend the Legislature reject the Governor ’s proposal to double the funding for the Climate Action Corps in 2023 ‑24, and also to reject the proposal to make the program ongoing beginning in 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4723

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

Feb 10, 2026 - The proposal prioritizes improvements in high ‑traffic areas to mitigate this risk and improve public access to newly opening museums and sport facilities which will be used for high ‑profile international events.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Dec 9, 2025 - Additionally, CARB ’s required reporting is likely to be more helpful if the Legislature closely reviews its reports and notifications and takes subsequent actions if they raise questions or identify areas of concern.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

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

Feb 24, 2026 - Administration Set Ambitious ZEV Goals, Which Federal Actions Have Called Into Question. Mobile sources —including light ‑, medium ‑, and heavy ‑duty vehicles —contribute to California ’s GHG emissions and air pollution.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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

May 19, 2025 - Recommend Deferring Action on High-Speed Rail Funding Until Legislature Has Sufficient Information on Project Status and a Detailed Plan for Potential Borrowing Against GGRF. We have identified a number of concerns with the administration ’s stated intent to continue funding the high-speed rail project beyond 2030 with at least $1  billion annually.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Very High Bar for Approving New Proposals Under Current Budget Conditions. We also believe the Legislature should apply a very high bar to its review of new spending proposals, whether from the General Fund or GGRF.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

The 2024-25 Budget: Flood Management Proposals

Feb 26, 2024 - Given the serious budget challenges this year, we suggest the Legislature apply a high bar to its review of new spending proposals and be very selective in approving any of them. Early Action Repairs Meet That Higher Bar.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4856

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Given the high stakes for fish and water users, the Legislature can play a critical role in monitoring plan implementation. Because the VAs are designed to adapt as new information becomes available —and the board retains authority to terminate the VAs for some or all water users if they are not working as intended —performance will require ongoing evaluation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

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

Feb 10, 2026 - For example, CPUC could elect to only change the specific months in which the credits are provided —switching them from April and October to four typically high-billed months (such as June, July, August, and September).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

Adoption of April 2021 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Early Action Package

Apr 16, 2021 - Specifically, the language requires the Californi a Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) to prioritize fire prevention projects in locations of high fire risk and that would protect large numbers of structures and people relative to the size of the grant.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4414