The 2023-24 Budget: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Major Capital Outlay Proposals

Feb 21, 2023 - Essentially, it will want to consider whether it wants to make reductions —either those proposed by the Governor or equivalent alternatives —to free up resources for this project. In our view, this proposal does not meet that higher bar.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4693

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

Feb 10, 2026 - These free allowances are intended to protect electric consumers from significant cost increases associated with the program. To that end, utilities are required to consign most of these free allowances to auction and use the proceeds to provide rebates to consumer s, known as the “California Climate Credit. ” These rebates currently are provided to residential customers each year in April and October.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization

May 7, 2025 - For example, currently, some of the allowances are allocated to utilities for free. These utilities are required to consign most of these free allowances to auction and use the resulting revenues to provide customer rebates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5042

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Moreover, the state already funds a number of other free state parks pass programs, including for lower ‑income residents who may face more barriers to access. California Air Resources Board (CARB): Zero ‑Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Incentive Program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2025-26 Budget: Natural Resources and Agriculture Discretionary Spending Proposals

Feb 18, 2025 - The California State Parks Library Pass Program provides free access to state parks through 33,000 passes that can be checked out from public library branches throughout the state. Passes can be checked out by all library card holders.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4967

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

Dec 9, 2025 - For example, under these pieces of legislation, CARB continues to have authority to set the level of the program ’s price ceiling and floor, the total number of allowances issued, and the share of allowances to sell versus provide for free to industry and utilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

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

Feb 24, 2026 - Additionally, APCF potentially could be used to support some activities currently being funded with GGRF, thereby freeing up those dollars to help fund other priorities. ZEV Proposal Does Not Meet High Bar for New Expenditures.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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

Feb 10, 2026 - For example, CARB recently released draft regulations that propose to make various changes to the program—including to the total number of allowances issued and the allocation of those allowances across various purposes (such as GGRF and free allowances to utilities and industry)—that could affect GGRF revenues.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

The 2017-18 Budget: Cap-and-Trade

Feb 13, 2017 - The one instance in which the committee recommended giving allowances away for free was to prevent leakage for certain industries. Allocating free allowances to certain companies based on their level of production can reduce companies ’ incentive to shift production to other states.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3553

Cap-and-Trade Revenues: Strategies to Promote Legislative Priorities

Jan 21, 2016 - The one instance in which the committee recommended giving allowances away for free was to prevent leakage for certain industries. Allocating free allowances to certain companies based on their level of production can reduce companies ’ incentive to shift production to other states.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3328