MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 12 (Craft and Maintenance)

Jun 27, 2025 - The current form of the budget deal between the two houses of the Legislature and the Governor ( AB 102, Gabriel ) assumes that state employee compensation will be reduced in 2025-26. Control Section 3.90 specifies that “the Legislature finds that the savings will likely be needed to maintain the sound fiscal condition of the state.”
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5060

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 2025 - Following a recommendation from our office, Chapter 39 of 2023 (AB 130, Committee on Budget) amended Section 19826 of the Government Code to establish a regularly occurring cycle so that a new compensation study for each bargaining unit would be released every two years, regardless of the status of its MOU.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5058

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - People who organize others to engage in retail theft can be charged with a felony, regardless of the dollar amount involved. ✘ ✘ Chapter 168 of 2024 (AB 2943, Zbur) Establishes “unlawful deprivation of a retail business opportunity ” as a specific crime, punishable as a felony.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

Cannabis Tax Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

Jun 3, 2025 - Chapter 56, Statutes of 2022 (AB 195, Committee on Budget) eliminated the cultivation tax on July 1, 2022. This law also requires the administration to increase the retail excise tax rate to 19 percent effective July 1, 2025.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/831

Cannabis Tax Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

Jun 3, 2025 - Chapter 56, Statutes of 2022 (AB 195, Committee on Budget) eliminated the cultivation tax on July 1, 2022. This law also requires the administration to increase the retail excise tax rate to 19 percent effective July 1, 2025.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/831

Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

May 21, 2025 - Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog] Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) May 21, 2025 Seth Kerstein Beginning July 2024, Chapter 231 of 2023 (AB 28, Gabriel) imposed an 11 percent excise tax on retail sales of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, with some exemptions.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/830

Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

May 21, 2025 - Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog] Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) May 21, 2025 Seth Kerstein Beginning July 2024, Chapter 231 of 2023 (AB 28, Gabriel) imposed an 11 percent excise tax on retail sales of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, with some exemptions.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/830

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

May 19, 2025 - The planned reductions affect multiyear spending plans included in prior budget agreements for activities such as the AB  617 community air protection program, support for local transit agencies, and various zero-emission vehicle programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

Ethnic studies course at the California State University. [Ballot]

May 15, 2025 - Chapter 32 of 2020 (AB 1460, Weber) requires CSU undergraduates to complete a three-unit ethnic studies course to graduate. The ethnic studies course could not increase the total n umber of units required to graduate.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-003

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization [Publication Details]

May 7, 2025 - This report is intended to help inform legislative decision-making around reauthorization of the cap-and-trade program. It is submitted pursuant to Chapter 135 of 2017 (AB 398, Garcia), which requires our office to report annually on the economic impacts and benefits of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5042