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 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Proposition 4

Oct 16, 2025 - Timing for Future Allocations of Funding Still to Be Determined. The Governor ’s Proposition  4 proposal had presented a multiyear spending approach that included both 2025-26 appropriations and planned amounts for future years through 2039-40.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5076

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

Feb 24, 2026 - Finally, we have concerns that the creation of a new program adds complexity and potential duplication. In light of these factors and the constrained state budget condition, we recommend the Legislature reject the proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

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

Mar 18, 2026 - The protracted time line reflects the complexity of balancing multiple — often competing —goals , ongoing and potential legal challenges, and the board ’s willingness to allow time for development of a VA proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 16, 2025 - Final Year of Funding for California Education Learning Lab. The budget package includes a final year of funding totaling $5.5  million from the General Fund for the California Education Learning Lab, with the intention to eliminate the program beginning in 2026-27 (which will achieve $4  million in ongoing savings).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5081/

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - We have not identified any proposed actions or appropriations that conflict with bond requirements, and the timing of the funding allocations generally seems to account for and align with what we know about department capacity and local demand.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5115

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - The final budget agreement instead approved only the 26 positions beginning in 2024-25, and the Legislature indicated it desired more information about how specifically the water boards ’ workload would change before approving such a large number of ongoing positions and resources.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

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

May 5, 2025 - The California Supreme Court declined to hear the case, making the appellate court decision final and binding on CSM and statewide trial courts. State Mandate Issues Reflected in Challenges to Orange County Stormwater Permit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5039

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

Oct 16, 2025 - The 2025-26 spending plan provides $178  million in multiyear authority —$100  million in 2025-26, $60  million in 2026-27, $12  million in 2027-28, and $6  million in 2028-29 —for the final installment plus a separate $2  million federal reimbursement agreement.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5080

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Finally, after it has identified what level of funding its budget can support, we suggest the Legislature think about revisiting the mix of how those resources are dedicated to prioritize the most important activities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116