The 2025-26 Budget: State Mandates—Regional Water Quality Control Boards

May 30, 2025 - Recommendation Reject Governor ’s Proposal and Reimburse Local Governments ’ Past Costs. Consistent with our recommendation on the stormwater-related mandate identified in the January budget, we recommend the Legislature reject the Governor ’s May Revision proposal and instead fund the three mandates for three key reasons: (1)  the appellate
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5054

The 2025-26 Budget: Oversight of Encampment Resolution Funding [Publication Details]

Mar 5, 2025 - To assist the Legislature in its fiscal oversight role of this large and multiyear program, this post: (1) provides data on the size of the population of people experiencing homelessness in California and recent state spending on housing and homelessness; (2) describes the ERF program’s goals, funding, and reporting requirements; (3) provides an update on ERF grantee awards, spending, and
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5007

The 2025-26 Budget: State Mandate—Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board

May 5, 2025 - We then describe the Governor ’s proposed suspension of the Santa Ana regional board ’s stormwater-related mandate, assess the proposal and the Legislature ’s options, and conclude with our recommendation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5039

The 2025-26 Budget: Oversight of Encampment Resolution Funding

Mar 5, 2025 - Due to a lack of adequate information to date on the program ’s activities and impact, and expected upcoming reports from grantees and the administration, we recommend the Legislature wait to decide on funding another ERF round until it receives compelling evidence that program goals are being met.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5007

The 2024-25 Budget: Juvenile Custodial Interrogation Mandate

May 28, 2024 - Accordingly, we recommend the Legislature fund the mandate. However, as with most other state programs, the Legislature will ultimately have to weigh these activities against other budget priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4910

The 2023-24 Budget: County of Los Angeles Citizens Redistricting Commission Mandate

May 2, 2023 - In particular, state law directs our office to report on the annual state costs for new mandates and make recommendations to the Legislature as to whether the new mandates should be repealed, funded, suspended, or modified.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4766

The 2022-23 Budget: Municipal Stormwater and Urban Runoff Discharges Mandate

Feb 28, 2022 - Recommendation Fund Mandate. We recommend the Legislature adopt the Governor ’s proposal and provide $18.4  million General Fund for incurred costs associated with the Municipal Stormwater and Urban Runoff Discharges mandate.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4565

An Initial Look at Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Local Government Fiscal Condition

May 12, 2021 - However, should the Legislature wish to provide any of the state ’s ARP funds —or other state funds —to assist local governments, we recommend the Legislature consider using a more targeted methodology to allocate such funds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4428

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Housing

Apr 5, 2022 - While not explicitly required, these recommendations could potentially include greater attention to climate change impacts during the RHNA process, among other considerations. Moratorium on Non ‑Renewals of Homeowner ’s Insurance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4584

The 2022-23 Budget: The Governor’s Homelessness Plan

Feb 9, 2022 - We recommend the Legislature consider how the state would coordinate work related to these new proposals across programs and departments. Setting clear expectations through statute and establishing reporting requirements to facilitate oversight over the state ’s progress towards addressing homelessness will be critical.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4521