The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview

Feb 5, 2026 - Recommend Holding Enrollment Flat at Universities in 2027 ‑28. Given the sizeable projected deficit in 2027 ‑28, we recommend holding enrollment expectations flat for UC and CSU that year. Setting higher enrollment targets for the segments without providing them funding comes with downsides.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5112

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - Much of the funding is to be awarded through competitive grants to eligible applicants includi ng local agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and utilities. Remaining funding will support state ‑led activities, such as deferred maintenance and wildfire resilience activities at state parks and projects at the Salton Sea.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5115

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

Mar 18, 2026 - SWRCB must notify the public of proposed changes, hold public hearings, and consider and respond to written comments. The board also may hold workshops or informal meetings to gather input. Additionally, state policy (via executive orders and CEQA) directs agencies —including SWRCB —to consult with native tribes when decisions, such as updates to the Bay ‑Delta Plan, may affect tribal interests.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Re-Envisioning State Education Governance

Mar 18, 2026 - The change would also allow for policymakers and the public to hold the Governor accountable for educational outcomes. A Few Issues Merit Greater Attention, Including Oversight, Fiscal Implementation, and the SPI ’s Role.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Proposals

Mar 19, 2026 - If the Legislature decides its budget framework cannot accommodate all of the new proposed spending, it could revise existi ng statutory requirements to downscale LCI ’s responsibilities and corresponding resource needs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5167

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - On  average, apportionment funding per student is higher across districts on hold harmless ($9,491) and districts on stability ($9,189), compared to districts receiving their SCFF ‑calculated amounts ($8,882).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program

Mar 3, 2026 - In years that the CPI-W is negative (as was the case in 2010, 2011, and 2016), the federal government does not decrease SSI grants, but instead holds them flat. …While State Has Option to Provide Annual COLA to SSP Grants.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5148

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - The hold harmless is set to expire June 30, 2026. Funding increases for State Preschool in 2021‑22 and 2022‑23 were primarily due to rate increases. In 2023‑24 and 2024‑25, the state made one‑time reductions to the program in recognition that funding provided exceeded the amount necessary to fund all State Preschool contracts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare

Mar 3, 2026 - What would be the impact on foster youth and families of a different implementation approach —such as implementing only the new foster care maintenance payment rates but holding off on the strengths building and immediate needs components —while the state addresses its structural deficit?
https://lao.ca.gov/publications/report/5147

Artificial intelligence and child safety. [Ballot]

Jan 27, 2026 - These products range from tools built for specific purposes to more general systems that can hold conversations with users on a wide range of topics. State Privacy Law Includes Certain Protections for Minors.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-036