Staff
- Frank Jimenez
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(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, and Toxics - Helen Kerstein
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(916) 319-8364
Air Quality, Energy, Climate Change, and High-Speed Rail - Brian Metzker
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(916) 319-8354
Forestry, Parks, and Agriculture - Sonja Petek
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(916) 319-8340
Water, Coastal Development, and Fish and Wildlife - Gökçe Sencan
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(916) 319-8329
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure - Rachel Ehlers
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(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation
Publications
Environment and Natural Resources
To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
Overview of Wildfire Prevention and Response Funding
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April 8, 2026 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation
The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Proposals
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March 19, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor's budget augmentation proposals for the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation's administrative and policy activities and statutorily required activities.
The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight
March 18, 2026 - This report discusses the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB’s) proposed—and long-overdue—update of the water quality control plan for the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which includes an alternative compliance pathway for certain water users called voluntary agreements (VAs, also known as Healthy Rivers and Landscapes). Given that SWRCB appears likely to adopt the update including VAs, the report provides recommendations for legislative oversight to help ensure the plan achieves its objectives.
Governor’s Proposed Elimination of Vacant Environmental Positions in Three Departments
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March 18, 2026 - Assembly Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation
Climate Change and Agriculture
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March 17, 2026 - Presented to: Senate Agriculture Committee Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget
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March 4, 2026 - Presented to: Assembly Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation
The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board
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March 2, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s proposal for new positions and associated funding at the State Water Resources Control Board to manage increased workload stemming from a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Budget
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February 26, 2026 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy
Overview of New Updates to the Cap-and-Invest Program
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February 23, 2026 - Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies
The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions
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February 17, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s proposal to eliminate certain vacant state environmental positions.
The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207
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February 10, 2026 - In this post, we analyze a California Public Utilities Commission proposal to implement changes to the California Climate Credit pursuant to Chapter 117 of 2025 (AB 1207, Irwin).
The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget
February 10, 2026 - This report provides a framework to help the Legislature approach funding environment-related programs within the context of the state's budget challenges.