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January 1, 1988 - This report is submitted pursuant to Chapter 323, Statutes of 1983. This legislation requires the Legislative Analyst to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory fees as a method of funding the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and (2) recommend whether regulatory fee funding for the PUC should be continued, amended, or repealed. Chapter 1 describes the PUC's regulatory fee system. Chapter 2 provides the major arguments for and against the use of regulatory fees and contains our recommendation on the commission's ongoing funding source. Chapter 3 describes other issues related to the PUC's regulatory fee structure.
September 1, 1987 - This report contains our findings and recommendations regarding the hazardous materials integrated data system proposed by the Environmental Affairs Agency (EAA) pursuant to the review requirements specified in Ch 1559/85 (AB 2184).
May 21, 1987 - Statement of the Legislative Analyst's Office to the Senate Toxics and Public Safety Management Committee.
February 1, 1986 - Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Strategy
December 1, 1985 - Assembly Bill 2893 required the Legislative Analyst's office to submit to the Legislature a report on alternative energy equipment investments in California. This report must evaluate the measure's effects on both state revenues and taxpayers, determine the conditions under which the investment incentive of rapid amortization is maximized, and provide data on the number and kind of alternative energy equipment facilities that have been established in California.
June 1, 1985 - In 1980, the California Legislature enacted AB 1404 (Chapter 1328, Statutes of 1980), which shortened the time period over which certain cogeneration equipment can be depreciated for California tax purposes. Specifically, AB 1404 provides that certain cogeneration equipment placed in service before January 1, 1986, can be depreciated over either a one-year or five-year period when the equipment is located in-state, and over a five-year period when the equipment is located out-of-state. Prior to AB 1404, the amortization period for cogeneration equipment corresponded to the useful economic life of the equipment. This could be as much as 20 years or more.
May 1, 1985 - Chapter 906, Statutes of 1980 (SB 1687), established a special state tax credit to encourage the installation of solar-powered irrigation pumping systems. This report has been prepared in response to the requirement set forth in Chapter 906. The report (1) describes solar-powered irrigation pumps; (2) summarizes existing state and federal tax provisions aimed at encouraging their installation; (3) analyzes the basic economics and cost-effectiveness of these systems, and (4) discusses both the costs to the state and the statewide benefits resulting from the tax credit.
May 1, 1984 - Chapter 899, Statutes of 1980, created the Energy and Resources Fund (ERF) and designated it as one of eight special funds to receive allocations from tidelands oil revenues. Under the provisions of Ch 899/80, the ERF will terminate on June 30, 1984. This measure requires the Legislative Analyst to review the programs and projects funded from the ERF and submit an evaluation to the Legislature, including any recommendations for changes in the statutory funding criteria or priorities. This report is submitted pursuant to that requirement.
May 1, 1984 - Chapter 899, Statutes of 1980, created the Energy and Resources Fund (ERF) and designated it as one of eight special funds to receive allocations from tidelands oil revenues. Under the provisions of Ch 899/80, the ERF will terminate on June 30, 1984. This measure requires the Legislative Analyst to review the programs and projects funded from the ERF and submit an evaluation to the Legislature, including any recommendations for changes in the statutory funding criteria or priorities. This report is submitted pursuant to that requirement.
March 29, 1984 - Statement of the Legislative Analyst to the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy.
February 29, 1984 - Statement to the Senate Special Committee on Solid and Hazardous Waste February 29, 1984. As requested by the Committee, we have prepared this review of state programs that involve, in one way or another, the conversion of nonhazardous solid wastes to energy. This review consists of three sections. The first section deals with the conversion of biomass wastes to energy; the second section with the conversion of municipal solid waste (MSW) to energy; and the third section summarizes the role of state financing authorities and of tax incentives in promoting the conversion of wastes to energy.
December 14, 1983 - Statement to the Assembly Ways and Means Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Welfare Oversight Hearing on the Department of Health Services Toxic Substances Control Programs. Comments on the September revisions to the objectives contained in the department's May 1983 work plan and the first-quarter progress report and (2) the department's compliance with requirements adopted in the Supplemental Report of the 1983 Budget Act.
November 9, 1983 - Presentation to the 1983 Fall Conference of the Financial and Accounting Officers of the Association of California Water Agencies by Jon David Vasche, Senior Economist, Office of the Legislative Analyst, State of California.
November 9, 1983 - A Response to the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees to questions regarding third-party cogeneration projects. (The joint production of electricity and useful thermal energy.) (1) What risk does the State take in entering into third-party cogeneration projects? (2) What problems might be encountered by the host institution? (3) What are the alternatives to third-party financing, and of these alternatives, what is the likelihood of their being implemented?
October 1, 1983 - This Report (1) describes the current funding system for state and local air pollution control activities in California, (2) evaluates the system on the basis of three criteria--consistency, efficiency, and stability, and (3) proposes an alternative financing system for legislative consideration.