The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - Similarly, while most of the remaining projects on the 2019 list have not been reassessed, the costs of projects in other parts of the state are likely increasing. For example, the 2019 assessment estimated the new Fresno Courthouse project would cost $483  million.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - DROS Special Account expenditures routinely exceeded revenues prior to 2019-20 —resulting in the decline of the fund balance. To help ensure sufficient revenues would be available to support BOF workload, Chapter  736 of 2019 (AB  1669, Bonta) enabled DOJ to increase the DROS fee charged from $19 to $31.19.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

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

Feb 23, 2026 - CDCR indicates that it is attempting to achieve temporary cost savings through a variety of actions, including limiting travel, training, and overtime where possible, as well as not filling vacant positions as fast as it otherwise would.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Staff at the prison have indicated that this improves the prison ’s ability to deliver care, increases morale, and makes the prison a more desirable place  to  work. Eliminating Excess Inpatient Bed Capacity Excess Inpatient Capacity Means CDCR Trying to Fill More Vacancies and Spending More Than Necessary.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134