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

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

Feb 17, 2026 - This was one of the key arguments JLBC cited for opposing their permanent elimination. 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.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

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

Feb 24, 2026 - The Governor proposes $200  million on a one ‑time basis ($115  million from GGRF and $85  million from APCF), along with associated budget trailer legislation to create a new incentive program for light ‑duty ZEVs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

Overview of New Updates to the Cap-and-Invest Program

Dec 9, 2025 - Our comments are not intended to serve as a comprehensive evaluation of these pieces of legislation and their potential impacts, but rather to provide some initial observations to assist the Legislature in its policymaking and oversight roles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Expo Park proposes $96.5  million one time ($76  million General Fund and $20.5  million from the Exposition Park Improvement Fund) to repair the sidewalk curbs, streets, and walkways in the park ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Delta supply is one critical piece of the water supply puzzle for many California water users. When Delta supply is lower, for example, reliance on groundwater increases, which can exacerbate groundwater overdraft and land subsidence issues.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive [Publication Details]

Feb 24, 2026 - In this piece, we review the Governor's proposal to provide $200 million to create a new point-of-sale incentive program for light-duty zero-emission vehicles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5140

Assessing California's Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update

Jan 4, 2023 - According to CARB, a focus on the lower target is needed to put the state on a path to meeting the newly established 2045  goal, consistent with the overall path to 2045  carbon  neutrality. Assessment of Plan to Meet 2030 Goals Based on our assessment of CARB ’s plan for reducing emissions by 2030 —including both addressing the statutory goal and the newly
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4656

Options for Creating a Forestry Management Training Center

Jan 4, 2022 - While the main focus of the program is firefighting, participants perform activities such as fuel reduction and reforestation projects when not fighting fires. The program is designed for parolees because one of the main goals of the center is to reduce recidivism.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4487

The 2022-23 Budget: Clean Energy Package

Feb 22, 2022 - The other largest pieces of funding —the equitable building decarbonization programs —target one of the largest sources of statewide GHG  emissions. Furthermore, these programs would focus on existing buildings, which represents the vast majority of building ‑related emissions and pose some of the most significant challenges to building decarbonization.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4554