The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - …But CJC Proposal Raises Questions About Appropriate Oversight. While the CJC project is necessary, the project ’s cost has more than doubled. Specifically, prior budgets included $64.1  million for this project, which was estimated to cost a total of $70.2  million, with the county covering the remaining balance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Those departments may seek increases in compensation to ensure their pay remains competitive with CDCR —potentially adding still more costs to the state. Extending Licensing Exemptions to Out‑of‑State Licensed Providers State Licensing Policies Limit Pool of Potential Providers.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - Supreme Court Comment on Firearm Regulatory Fees Raises Questions About This Approach for Firearms and Ammunition. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Adding More Licensing Exemptions for Those Who Work at Prisons. Currently, providers with out ‑of ‑state licenses are required to obtain a California license to work in CDCR, though some may use their out ‑of ‑state license on a temporary basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137