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

Feb 10, 2026 - California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire): Fixed ‑Wing Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot Contract Increases. The budget proposes $66.5  million General Fund in 2026 ‑27 and increasing amounts in subsequent years, growing to $74.2  million ongoing in 2030 ‑31, for CalFire to cover the increased costs of its air tanker and command center aircraft mechanic and pilot contracts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Feb 17, 2026 - For example, at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), positions include game wardens who prov ide important law enforcement and wildlife and resource protection services. Some CDFW positions also administer various permits, a key function to ensure that projects —from habitat restoration to infrastructure and housing development —can be completed with less damage to the environment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

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

May 1, 2023 - Important to Have Mechanisms for Adjusting Wildfire Budget Given Uncertainties. The state faces inherent unpredictability regarding the number, scale, and timing of the wildfires that will occur in any given year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4765

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

Mar 18, 2026 - In this section, we provide some history about the process and details about SWRCB ’s proposed plan updates —which incorporate VAs and tribal cultural beneficial uses —and then describe the VA time line and oversight mechanisms.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2025-26 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - DOF could address such a circumstance through Control Section 15.14 of the annual budget act, which provides a mechanism for DOF to make midyear reductions if auction revenues are insufficient to support discretionary GGRF spending at the budgeted levels.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4960

The 2025-26 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Proposals at May Revision

May 19, 2025 - GGRF is a key mechanism for the Legislature to support its climate, environmental, and budget priorities. The amount of revenues available in the fund could become even more robust in future years, particularly if the program is reauthorized and allowance prices increase.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Oct 16, 2025 - Assembly Bill 149 exempts from CEQA the construction of temporary facilities for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and also exempts any temporary Olympics facility located in the coastal zone from having to obtain a coastal development permit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5080

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - For example, one 2022 study found a relationship between wildfire smoke levels and poorer cognitive performance on a brain‑training game, and another 2022 study found a link between smoke exposure and lower test scores.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

The 2021-22 Budget: Department of Toxic Substances Control

Mar 19, 2021 - If included, should pandemic relief measures be continued on an ongoing basis as proposed by the Governor, or should there be some mechanism to revisit these measures in the future? For example, should there be a sunset date for tax exemptions on midsized  businesses?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4406

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - The more well ‑established programs supported by Proposition  4 have less uncertainty about program design and goals and are more likely to have existing mechanisms for assessing which projects should be funded.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958