In the laundry list of budget change proposals (BCPs) this year were two environmental agencies looking to secure their administrative futures.
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has its heart set on a consolidation of administrative functions, moving away from a convoluted, multiplayer process to one overseen by the agency.
In early 2001, the agency and its boards, departments and offices (BDOs) consolidated 12 locations across Sacramento into one centralized location. In 2004, further consolidation occurred, with shared functions, such as IT, fee collection and human resources, being consolidated.
“Historically, CalEPA has relied on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to perform HR, budget, accounting and acquisition functions on its behalf,” the BCP reads. “However, over time, inefficiencies have become apparent, highlighting the need for CalEPA to establish its own fully staffed administrative structure to function as a cohesive, self-governing entity.”
The agency is now looking to expand on efforts that began in 2019 to bring IT services under CalEPA’s Office of the Secretary (OOS) to other administrative functions. That move was completed in 2024.
“Since CalEPA received [its] own purchasing authority, [it has] been able to coordinate group acquisitions for IT services and software that streamline services across the agency,” the BCP reads.
The move, according to the change proposal, would reduce friction points such as lengthy procurement timelines and invoice approvals. When OOS was put in charge of IT procurements in 2024, time-to-purchase decreased significantly, and invoice approvals went from around 10 days to just two days.
“Consolidating administrative services under CalEPA will improve operations by prioritizing user-centered design and experience. It will also leverage data collection to pinpoint areas for improvement, streamlining processes and eliminating inefficiencies,” the document reads.
As part of the request, the agency is also seeking 14 permanent positions and reimbursement authority to the tune of $2.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing. The agency’s BDOs are requesting the same amount of expenditure authority split proportionally across their various funds.
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), meanwhile, faces a more dire budgetary situation: the threat of not being able to function as a state agency or meet its statutory requirements.
“The current funding model, built on one-time and program-specific sources, was never designed to sustain a full-service civil service department. Without permanent operational support, LCI will be unable to support basic functions,” the BCP reads.
“This is not just a structural deficiency. This is a significant risk. The consequences of inaction include stalled projects, missed deadlines, noncompliance with labor and legal requirements, and an erosion of trust with various stakeholders,” the proposal continued.
LCI was formerly known as the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and was formally recognized as an agency in September 2024 after OPR was divided into two standalone agencies — LCI and the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement.
“While these changes brought LCI into alignment with the statutory and administrative obligations of other state departments, the funding model did not evolve accordingly,” the document reads.
In the last two years, LCI has taken control of IT infrastructure from the Governor’s Office, establishing an in-house unit, and converted more than 300 positions from exempt to civil service classifications.
The budget ask is $3.4 million for 2026-27 and ongoing to “establish baseline support for core administrative and legislative functions.”
State Environmental Entities Eye Administrative Control, Funding
The budget is out, as are the funding requests known as budget change proposals from the various agencies and departments. Here are a couple that caught our eye.
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