The 2025-26 Budget: May Revision Trailer Bill Proposals on the Delta Conveyance Project and Water Quality Control Plans

May 27, 2025 - (This responds to a court ruling that DWR exceeded its authority in seeking to issue revenue bonds for a broader “Delta Program, ” which the court ruled was more than a modification of the SWP) (Section 6) .
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5053

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

Feb 10, 2026 - The funding and positions would address additional workload related to two active SET events occurring in the state; enhance overall state oversight; and update regulations to stre ngthen monitoring, response, and enforcement for future SET  events.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Residential Electricity Rates in California

Jan 7, 2025 - Electricity Rate ‑Setting Processes Include a Few Key Steps. The rate ‑setting process for electric utilities is complex. The process generally includes the following main steps: Step 1: Determine Revenue Requirement.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4950

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

Mar 18, 2026 - The Bay ‑Delta Plan identifies beneficial uses, sets water quality objectives, and prescribes a program of implementation for the entire watershed. SWRCB (rather than a regional board) manages the Bay ‑Delta Plan because the watershed spans multiple regions and sets flow requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - After a wildland fire event, it is important to open windows and doors again, so any pollutants that may have accumulated inside can be released. Improving Window and Door Sealing. Improved sealing of buildings —such as by replacing old, leaky, single ‑paned windows with well ‑sealed double ‑paned versions —can reduce the infiltration of smoke and other outdoor pollution.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

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

Mar 2, 2026 - Federal CWA requirements only apply to “waters of the United States ” (WOTUS), so the definition of WOTUS is important. The broader the definition, the more bodies of water will fall under federal jurisdiction —and vice versa.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Doing so would ensure its preferred approach is carried out. For example, if the Legislature would like households to receive fixed credits in specific, designated summer months, it could clari fy that guidance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - For example, CalFire maintains an incident reporting dashboard, and the Salton Sea Management Program presents updates annually to SWRCB, prepares a yearly report, and mainta ins an online project tracker.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

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

Dec 9, 2025 - For example, under these pieces of legislation, CARB continues to have authority to set the level of the program ’s price ceiling and floor, the total number of allowances issued, and the share of allowances to sell versus provide for free to industry and utilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2022 - Many of the proposals also would seek to increase diversity within existing  occupations. LAO Comment: Can So Many New Efforts Be Effectively Launched at Once? The sheer number of new proposals to plan, implement, and administer may make it difficult for the agencies to carry out the programs effectively.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4492