Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfires in California

Jan 28, 2025 - As shown in the figure, CalFire’s annual expenditures from the E-Fund have varied depending on factors such as the severity of a given wildfire season. (E-fund expenditures can also include reimbursements from federal and local governments related to firefighting activities CalFire undertakes on their behalf.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4952

The 2025-26 Budget: Various California Air Resources Board Proposals

Feb 24, 2025 - Statute further requires that the multimedia evaluation be approved by the California Environmental Policy Council, which is an entity composed of the heads of seven state e nvironmental protection ‑related agencies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4980

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Residential Electricity Rates in California

Jan 7, 2025 - California is home to three large IOUs —Pacific Gas and Electric (PG &E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG &E) —as well as three smaller ones noted in the figure.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4950

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - Despite these advantages, the APA provides certain guarantees about the rulemaking process and ensures that uniform standards and procedures are followed, so exempting th e bond from these requirements is not without trade ‑offs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

The 2023-24 Budget: Improving Legislative Oversight of CalFire’s Emergency Fire Protection Budget

May 1, 2023 - Recommendations We have two recommended actions for the Legislature to address the inadequacies we have identified in the existing process for budgeting the E‑Fund. Limit Use of E ‑Fund to Unplanned Costs Associated With Responding to Large Wildfires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4765

The 2023-24 Budget: Improving Legislative Oversight of CalFire’s Emergency Fire Protection Budget [Publication Details]

May 1, 2023 - In this brief, we discuss the design of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's budget for emergency wildfire response, known as the Emergency Fund (E-Fund). We also provide recommendations for modifying the structure of the E-Fund to enhance legislative oversight and control over department expenditures, while preserving necessary budgetary flexibility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4765

The 2024-25 Budget: Sustainable Funding for the Department of Pesticide Regulation

Mar 5, 2024 - Th e proposal would exempt such emergency pesticide use authorizations from requiring a CEQA review. Assessment Increasing Mill Assessment Is Justified. Overall, we find two key justifications for the state to increase the mill assessment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4873

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Resources and Environmental Protection

Sep 12, 2024 - Chapter  239 of 2022 (SB  846, Dodd) included legislative intent to provide $1.4  billion from the General Fund to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG &E) in a “forgivable loan ” to enable the utility to continue operating DCPP beyond its originally scheduled retirement date.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4928

State Wildfire Response Costs Estimated to Be Higher Than Budgeted

Oct 19, 2020 - Such costs as equipment rental, unplanned overtime, inmate crews, and additional air support are charged to the E-Fund for large incidents. The budget includes a separate General Fund appropriation for the E-Fund —$373  million in 2020 ‑21.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4285

The 2024-25 Budget: Flood Management Proposals

Feb 26, 2024 - Funding reflects state ’s share of cost required by federal government to proceed with projects. d Project led by the state, but spending could be eligible for a credit toward the state share of cost on a future USACE project. e The Kopta Slough project likely will receive $10 million in federal funds from the Bureau of Reclamation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4856