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

Feb 24, 2026 - California has two regions with the most critical air quality challenges in the nation —the South Coast Air Basin and the San Joaquin Valley. The regions need to make substantial reductions in criteria pollutants from all sources —specifically , nitrous oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter —to meet federal air quality standards.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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

Feb 10, 2026 - We also highlight ways the Legislature could consider modifying certain proposals —such as by shifting their fund source or downsizing their scope —if it finds a compelling rationale for their support but is constrained by the General Fund condition.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Feb 17, 2026 - The final budget agreement instead eliminated fewer positions (4,994) and provided the Legislature additional time to review 1,009 additional positions which we refer to as “residual: ” (1)  those associated with implementing legislation chaptered in 2022 and 2023 across numerous departments, and (2)  all of those in nine specified departments which we highlight in Figure  1.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

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

Mar 18, 2026 - We then discuss key findings about the current draft plan update, highlighting the potential benefits of VAs, key uncertainties about implementation of VAs, questions about the potential effectiveness of VAs or regulatory changes to protect native fish, and the urgency of board action.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163