Earlier this week, the California Legislature approved the 2016-17 State Budget (Senate Bill 826) and a number of budget trailer bills that assist in implementing the State Budget. It should be noted that the State Budget Package remains incomplete – there are a handful of remaining budget trailer bills pertaining to natural resources, transportation, the “No Place Like Home Initiative”, and the “By Right” affordable housing plan. Furthermore, yet to be finalized and considered by the Legislature is a final spending plan for Cap-and-Trade proceeds and a ‘fix’ to our state’s beverage container recycling program. Over the next several days and weeks, further State Budget items will be considered and adopted.
Key Issues/Changes for RCRC Member Counties
The 2016-17 State Budget as approved over the past two days:
- Provides $644,000 for the State’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes program for 2016-17;
- Provides funds for tree mortality mitigation activities, including grants to counties and other local entities;
- Allocates continued modest funding for state fairs;
- Maintains State Responsibility Area fees as a source of funding for resource-related programs;
- Includes $270 million for local jail construction; and,
- Provides funding to commence a variety of medical marijuana regulatory functions.
The Legislature is set to reconvene on Monday, June 20th, and it likely that further portions of the State Budget Package will be adopted early next week. The Legislature and the Governor have until July 1st in order to meet the State Constitutional deadline to enact a state spending plan. RCRC staff will send out additional information on the State Budget Package as it becomes available.