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

Feb 10, 2026 - Take Steps to Address the Budget Condition Given the fiscal challenges facing the state, the Legislature may need to take additional actions within the environment ‑related section of the budget beyond just considering the proposals included in the Governor ’s budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

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

Mar 2, 2026 - (For example, we suggest careful consideration of providing CEQA exemptions to ensure that an adequate amount of environmental review will still occur.) Such amendments offer the potential for the state to increase the efficiency of the permitting and enforcement processes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Incidental Take Permits (State). Under the California Endangered Species Act, water users may need an incidental take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These permits often include conditions —such as diversion limits or implementing habitat improvements —to minimize the incidental “take ” (killing or harm) of state ‑listed threatened or endangered species.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - In our view, CPUC could take a simple approach to implementing AB  1207 ’s changes to the California Climate Credit. For example, CPUC could elect to only change the specific months in which the credits are provided —switching them from April and October to four typically high-billed months (such as June, July, August, and September).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - We recommend the Legislature carefully review the administration’s proposed approach to implementing SB 840 to ensure that it is consistent with legislative intent and preferences, and make any associated statutory modifications, as relevant.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

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

Feb 17, 2026 - Depending on their balances and constraints, certain special funds can be tools to help address a budget deficit, such as by providing loans to the General Fund or taking on expenditures previously funded by the General Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

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

Feb 24, 2026 - We think applying this principle broadly across all fund types is important because special funds can serve as tools to help address the budget deficit, such as by taking on expenditures previously funded by the General Fund or providing loans to the General Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140