Mandates

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local governments when the state requires them to perform new duties or provide a higher level of service. The Commission on State Mandates determines whether or not local governments are entitled to reimbursement for increased costs mandated by the state. The objective of the Commission is to fairly and impartially hear and determine through a public hearing process whether the state imposed a reimbursable mandate. The Commission determines the activities necessary to comply with a new mandate, adopts a cost estimate, and notifies the Legislature of its findings.

The Commission, created as a quasi-judicial body, consists of seven members. Four of the members are ex officio: the Director of Finance, the State Controller, the State Treasurer, and the Director of the Office of Planning and Research. The remaining three members, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, include a public member with experience in public finance and two additional members from the categories of city council member, county supervisor, or school district governing board member.

Figure MAN-01 illustrates the major changes proposed in the Governor's Budget for mandates reimbursement funding as well as funding for the Commission on State Mandates.

The major workload adjustments required by law for 2007-08 include the following:

  • One-Time Reduction - The budget includes a reduction to the General Fund provided to cities, counties, and special districts (local agencies) of $402.4 million since the 2006 Budget Act provided the estimated full year cost of mandates to be claimed in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 fiscal years, and the first two payments towards retiring mandate obligations incurred prior to June 30, 2004.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for Mandates Back to Top

 Funded Mandates
 Mandate Reform
PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Budget Summary - Mandates (pdf * - 39K) -
Provides this entire Mandates Chapter in pdf format.