The 2017-18 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 15, 2017 - In this report, we assess many of the Governor's 2017-18 budget proposals in the resources and environmental protection areas and recommend various changes. We provide a complete listing of our recommendations at the end of this report.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3558

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

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - In addition to staffing support, the budget provided $1.1  million (also from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund) in one-time contracting funds for SWRCB to begin design of an electronic application and information technology management system to support this work.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

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

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Oct 16, 2025 - Assembly Bill 149 exempts from CEQA the construction of temporary facilities for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and also exempts any temporary Olympics facility located in the coastal zone from having to obtain a coastal development permit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5080

The 2023-24 Budget: CalRecycle’s Zero Waste Plan Proposal

Feb 28, 2023 - This law expands the existing Covered Electronic Waste Program —which uses consumer fees to support the proper collection and recycling of certain electronic devices —to include most battery ‑embedded products, such as cell phones.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4719

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 16, 2025 - The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions 90 $6,314.1 For a variety of reasons, we do not reflect certain capital outlay projects in the figure or linked table. Specifically, to avoid double counting previously provided funds or because specific data are not available, we do not include projects for which funding is: (1)  continuously appropriated, such as some bond
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5081/

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - (We also include links to Appendix tables at the end of this post and the top left of this page. These appendix tables itemize select proposals by policy area based on our understanding at this time.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

The 2024-25 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

Feb 20, 2024 - Particularly in the context of the General Fund deficit and proposed spending reductions to other programs, the Legislature can consider all GGRF expenditures “on the table ” and within its purview for reevaluation and potential modification.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4847

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

Nov 14, 2022 - For example, one 2022 study found a relationship between wildfire smoke levels and poorer cognitive performance on a brain‑training game, and another 2022 study found a link between smoke exposure and lower test scores.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644