Assessing Early Implementation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Requirements

Jan 4, 2024 - We highlight some of the challenges associated with the new requirements and, toward the end of this section, raise some questions for the Legislature to consider about the framework ’s ultimate potential effects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4823

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

May 5, 2025 - …However, Multiple Additional Stormwater-Related Test Claims Pending at the Commission. Each test claim submitted to CSM is different and has to be considered individually. However, if CSM was to determine that each of the currently pending stormwater-related test claims constituted state-reimbursable mandates for costs incurred before 2018, the state could face greater costs to reimburse local governments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5039

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

Feb 10, 2026 - We also highlight ways the Legislature could consider modifying certain proposals —such as by shifting their fund source or downsizing their scope —if it finds a compelling rationale for their support but is constrained by the General Fund condition.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

May 30, 2025 - This includes 32 pending test claims and 4 additional claims for which CSM has already identified state-reimbursable mandated activities but has not yet developed cost estimates. Each test claim submitted to CSM is different and has to be considered individually.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5054

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

May 19, 2025 - Our report highlights a variety of options for modifying the cap-and-trade program depending on legislative policy priorities, including through changing the design of the program and/or directing the use of the value of the program’s allowances.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization

May 7, 2025 - Addressing Potential Legislative Priorities In this section, we highlight three potential legislative priority areas for the future of cap ‑and ‑trade: GHG emission reductions, affordability, and other various goals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5042

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfires in California

Jan 28, 2025 -  $15  million one ‑time in 2019 ‑20 for CalFire to work with vendors to test proofs of concept for various potential firefighting technology solutions. OES —Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Fire Fleet. $11  million and 11 positions ongoing starting in 2022 ‑23 to support the OES mutual aid fire engine  program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4952

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - They also are highlighted in the bond ’s requirements about targeting certain shares of funding to benefit vulnerable populations and disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities. In addition, the Legislature made bond expenditures subject to annual legislative appropriation (rather than continuously appropriating the funds), which gives it the chance to stay actively involved in directing funds to meet its priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

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

Feb 28, 2022 - Multiple Additional Stormwater ‑Related Test Claims Pending at the Commission. While not directly linked to this mandate, the commission has 37 pending test claims related to other stormwater permits issued by the state water boards dating back to 2009.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4565