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

Mar 18, 2026 - SWRCB Considering Latest Updates in Two Phases SWRCB Began Process to Update the Bay ‑Delta Plan in 2009, Proceeding in Two Main Phases. SWRCB officially began the most recent update to the Bay ‑Delta Plan in early 2009.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

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 Budget: May Revision Trailer Bill Proposals on the Delta Conveyance Project and Water Quality Control Plans

May 27, 2025 - Delta Conveyance Project Background The Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is the latest proposal to bypass the central Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) to convey water from the northern Delta to pumps south of the Delta as part of the State Water Project (SWP).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5053

An Initial Review of the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program

Dec 13, 2021 - For example, the latest funding allocation from RFFC has accelerated regional coordination in Napa, Tehama, and Orange Counties, supporting local Resource Conservation Districts with funding and technical assistance to start partnerships with other local entities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4482

Summary of Major 2022 Climate and Energy Legislation

Jan 6, 2023 - The board adopted the latest plan in December 2022. (Please see our recent report, Assessing California’s Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update, for a discussion of this plan and the state’s progress towards the 2030 emissions reduction goal.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4660