The 2017-18 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 15, 2017 - The department ’s paper also discusses requiring manufacturers to play a stronger role in supporting recycled material markets through minimum content requirements, material buy ‑back requirements, refillable beverage container options, and/or container designs that are more easily recycled.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3558

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - CARB also plays an important role in monitoring air quality, including during smoke events, by operating a network of permanent and portable air quality monitors in collaboration with local and federal partners.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

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

Feb 17, 2026 - For example, at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), positions include game wardens who prov ide important law enforcement and wildlife and resource protection services. Some CDFW positions also administer various permits, a key function to ensure that projects —from habitat restoration to infrastructure and housing development —can be completed with less damage to the environment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

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

May 7, 2025 - Revenues From Allowances Can Play Key Role in Helping Preserve Affordability. The value of allowances —both those that are given away for free and those that are sold to generate GGRF revenue —can play an important role in mitigating the program ’s impacts on affordability.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5042

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

Feb 24, 2026 - While ZEV ‑specific programs can play a role in augmenting the state ’s broader programs —such as by making ZEVs more accessible to low ‑income households and helping to encourage the market to produce a greater number and variety of vehicles —they are less critical than they otherwise would be without the “backstop ” of those broader GHG ‑reducing programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 16, 2025 - Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime Grant Program Reversion. To help address the fiscal difficulties facing the state, the budget reverts $50  million General Fund from the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime pilot program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5081

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Residential Electricity Rates in California

Jan 7, 2025 - However, when taken together, the state’s policies likely have played an important role in achieving the observed reductions. Ratepayers Pay Additional Costs Associated With Transitioning to Cleaner Sources of Electricity.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4950

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

Dec 9, 2025 - The Legislature can play an important role overseeing and guiding these efforts. For  instance, the newly envisioned Climate Bureau ’s usefulness is likely to be enhanced if its activities are directed to high ‑priority topics and if it is created such that it can build a reputation as a credible source of timely analyses.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Adequate staffing for the museum will allow it to open to the public on time and with the appropriate maintenance, especially as the number of visitors to Expo Park increases in advance of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116