Roundup: Latest Actions from the Commission on State Mandates and What It Means for Counties
Back to News
NEW TEST CLAIM Local Agency Officials: Training, 26-TC-01
About this program: SB 827 (Chapter 661, Statutes of 2025) expanded the local officials who must complete the ethics training initially required under AB 1234 to department heads or similar administrative officers of local agencies. It also requires all officials to conduct the training within six months of assuming office, instead of the prior requirement to do so within one year. The new law also requires some local officials to complete fiscal and financial training that must be at least two hours in duration and must be completed every two years. Read the test claim here.
Next steps: Counties can submit comment letters on this test claim on or by October 29. The Commission tentatively plans to hear this matter in August 2027.
DRAFT PROPOSED DECISION AND PARAMETERS AND GUIDELINES
Race-Blind Charging, 24-TC-07.
About this program: AB 2778 (Chapter 806, Statues of 2022) intends to reduce racial disparities in how cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted by, among other things, requiring local agencies to create “race-blind” charging programs wherein documents are redacted for racial-identifying information during the initial charging stage. Counties are also required to collect data from their race-blind charging process and make the data available.
Recent action: This week, Commission staff published the draft proposed decision and parameters and guidelines for reimbursement for this program. The parameters and guidelines stipulate what activities are eligible for reimbursement.
- Is your county incurring costs for activities to comply with this program that are not included in the draft parameters and guidelines? Let the Commission know by filing a comment letter!
Next steps: Counties can submit comment letters on the draft proposed decision and parameters and guidelines by October 20. The Commission will hear this matter during their hearing on December 9, 2026.
NEXT COMMISSION HEARING: OCTOBER 9
The Commission will conduct its next regular hearing at 10am on Friday, October 9. Attendees can view and participate in the meeting via Zoom. The hearing agenda includes the following items of note for county governments:
| Type of Matter | Matter / Program | Documents and Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Test Claim | Local Public Employees: Vacant Positions, 25-TC-01 | Proposed Decision |
| Statewide Cost Estimate* | Elections: Ballot Label, 24-TC-01 | Proposed Statewide Cost Estimate |
- *According to the Commission on State Mandates, so far only five counties have submitted claims for reimbursement for this program. However, counties may submit late reimbursement claims (after July 8, 2026), for costs incurred for this program between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025, subject to a 10% penalty.
A complete list of all matters pending before the Commission and recent actions is available on the pending caseload webpage. To receive updates directly from the Commission, contact Commission staff directly at csminfo@csm.ca.gov. To receive updates from the SCO, sign up for their email lists here.
Questions about the Commission on State Mandates or the state mandate reimbursement process in general? Contact Jessica Sankus, Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst, at jsankus@counties.org.