The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Beginning January 1, 2027, H.R.1 requires states to implement a community engagement requirement for certain able ‑bodied adults between ages 19 and 64 (mostly childless adults). Individuals must generally work, study, or volunteer at least 80  hours per month, or meet an earnings threshold (about $580 per month, equivalent to 80
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - The new date should take into account that it may take time to fully und erstand and incorporate the impacts of HR 1 into an administrative funding methodology. Additionally, in taking this task on, the administration will be adding to the many competing priorities that are underway.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The department stated that its budget projections for 2026 ‑27 do not incorporate any potential added costs due to the changes in H.R 1. Will the department be able to determine whether its costs increase in the future due to H.R. 1?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - Realignments are intended to have long ‑term benefits for counties by providing (1)  greater local flexibility over programs and services based on local needs and (2)  incentives to encourage counties to innovate to achieve better program outcomes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Office of Emergency Services Next Generation 911 System

Feb 27, 2026 - In November 2025, OES released an updated 2025 Next Generation 9 ‑1 ‑1 Transition Plan . Under the updated transition plan, the state will switch from the regional approach to a statewide approach with two statewide network providers —one prime network service provider and a back ‑up.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5145

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - For example, CDCR psychologists, according to the state Auditor, earn between $56 and $85 per hour —well above the average hourly rate paid in other states. According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is the highest paying state for psychologists with the average hourly wage at $64 per hour, whereas psychologists nationwide earned a median of $53 per hour (21  percent less).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: Office of Emergency Services Next Generation 911 System [Publication Details]

Feb 27, 2026 - This brief summarizes the history, costs, and current status of the state’s effort to deploy a Next Generation 911 system and assesses the administration’s proposal to abandon the existing regional approach in favor of a statewide model. It also offers recommendations regarding legislative oversight of this project and the long-term governance of the state’s 911 system.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5145

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - In 2024 ‑25, the state provided $1  billion General Fund for the MCS program —reflecting about a ten ‑fold increase. Increase in MCS Spending Stems Primarily From Expanding Eligibility to Cal Grant Recipients.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation [Publication Details]

Mar 5, 2026 - The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation [Publication Details] Description: In this brief, we assess the Governor's proposed funding for county administration of Medi-Cal and CalFresh in response to H.R. 1 and provide related recommendations.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis [Publication Details]

Mar 2, 2026 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s budget for Medi-Cal, with a focus on base spending trends, changes to provider taxes, implementation of new H.R. 1 rules, oversight over enacted budget solutions, and considerations for identifying additional savings in Medi-Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5146