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

Feb 17, 2026 - However, in many cases, the residual positions in question supported by special funds do not have a direct impact on the General Fund and thus do not factor directly into efforts to balance the budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions [Publication Details]

Feb 17, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s proposal to eliminate certain vacant state environmental positions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5124

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

Mar 18, 2026 - The other pathway —more traditionally regulatory —would apply to water users that do not choose to be part of the VA program. Key features of the two pathways include: VA Pathway Includes Flows and Habitat Projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight [Publication Details]

Mar 18, 2026 - This report discusses the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB’s) proposed—and long-overdue—update of the water quality control plan for the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which includes an alternative compliance pathway for certain water users called voluntary agreements (VAs, also known as Healthy Rivers and Landscapes).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5163

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

Mar 2, 2026 - The state has a statutory responsibility to regulate waters that were formerly under federal jurisdiction (and has an interest in doing so given the implications for drinking and agricultural water quality and fish and wildlife habitat).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - The proposal also includes funding for 14 new positions at three departments —eight at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), five at the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), and one at the Sierra Nevada Conservancy —to support the administration of their bond programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5115

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

Feb 10, 2026 - This includes $11.3 million annually for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), $11.2 million annually for the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and $8.6 million annually for the Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks), among others.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Feb 24, 2026 - However, doing so likely would require a much larger and/or longer ‑term investment than what the Governor is proposing (or what the state realistically could provide, given its budget limitations). Proposal Could Result in Program Duplication.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - A key question for the Legislature is whether it is comfortable that the proposed statutory modifications do indeed reflect its intent, as they have important implications for which programs receive funding under this new structure.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - Doing so would ensure its preferred approach is carried out. For example, if the Legislature would like households to receive fixed credits in specific, designated summer months, it could clari fy that guidance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120