Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - Unlawful Deprivation of a Retail Business Opportunity. Chapter 168 created the crime of “unlawful deprivation of a retail business opportunity,” which allows the dollar value involved with multiple misdemeanor acts of possessing stolen property within a two‑year period to be aggregated into a felony.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Depending on the findings of that analysis, the Receiver may propose pay increases, which would give the Legislature an opportunity to evaluate whether they are necessary at that time. Increasing Compensation Can Be a High ‑Cost Strategy.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - Overall, we found that these education programs have several positive aspects but also a number of problems and missed opportunities. Anecdotally, Both Students and Staff Cite Benefits of Prison Education.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913

The 2025-26 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 12, 2025 - Accordingly, we recommend the Legislature direct the judicial branch to report at budget hearings on its process for making midyear budget adjustments and how it will ensure the Legislature has had the opportunity to weigh in on  them.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4959

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - This will provide an opportunity for the Legislature to reassess the department ’s vacancy rate and funding need in the future. If the Legislature directs CDCR to close an additional prison, as we recommend in the “Prison Closure ” section of this brief, it could be reasonable to approve this funding on a longer ‑term basis, such as for five years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

Increasing Oversight of the State Litigation Deposit Fund

Jan 28, 2021 - Limited Opportunity for Oversight of LDF Through our review of the LDF and DOJ, we find that current state law and DOJ practices related to the fund limit the opportunity for the Legislature to conduct effective oversight of the LDF.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4322

Implementing Proposition 36: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities [Publication Details]

Dec 14, 2000 - Implementing Proposition 36: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities [Publication Details] Translate Our Website This Google ™ translation feature provided on the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) website is for informational purposes only.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/743

Achieving Better Outcomes for Adult Probation [Publication Details]

May 29, 2009 - Achieving Better Outcomes for Adult Probation [Publication Details] Video Description: We conclude that opportunities exist to both improve public safety and reduce state costs by better aligning the county probation and state correctional systems.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2074

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Justice Budget Proposals

Feb 23, 2023 - Unclear Whether LDF Could Support Workload Given Limited Opportunity for Legislative Oversight of LDF. As noted above, DOJ legal workload is supported from various fund sources —including the General Fund and various special funds that receive transfers from litigation proceeds deposited into the LDF.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4701

The 2024-25 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 22, 2024 - In  view  of  the  opportunity for significant savings and the possibility of mitigating negative effects on housing flexibility, PC 2067 arguably requires CDCR to further reduce capacity. Recommendations Direct CDCR to Deactivate Prisons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4852