Roundup: Latest Actions from the Commission on State Mandates and What It Means for Counties 

Since our update last week, the Commission published a new draft proposed decision for a pending matter concerning the Child Abduction and Recovery Program. This matter is described in more detail below.   

As a reminder, due to an emergency office closure at the Commission on State Mandates’ headquarters resulting from building damage, both the April 10 and May 15 hearings are cancelled and rescheduled for June 12. Several matters relevant to county governments are agendized to be heard, which can be accessed on the Commission’s website..    

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, subscribe to their email lists. 

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.   

DRAFT PROPOSED DECISION 

Custody of Minors-Child Abduction and Recovery, 25-PGA-01 (View Matter) 

In October 2025, the State Controller’s Office (SCO) submitted a letter to the Commission regarding the Custody of Minors – Child Abduction and Recovery Program, which included a request for a Statement of Decision from the Commission and a request to amend the Parameters and Guidelines. 

This week, the Commission published a draft proposed decision concerning the SCO’s letter, and therein the Commission staff recommends that the Commission deny the SCO’s request for a Statement of Decision and recommends partial approval of the requested technical changes to the Parameters and Guidelines. Comments from interested parties on the draft proposed decision are due to the Commission by May 20. This matter is agendized to be heard during the Commission’s next hearing on June 12.  

Background:  The Custody of Minors – Child Abduction and Recovery Program is one of the first programs to be deemed a reimbursable state mandate after Proposition 4 (1979) required the state to reimburse local governments for the costs to comply with state-mandated programs. Since 1979, the state has reimbursed counties for the state-mandated requirement that county district attorneys’ offices actively assist in the resolution of child custody problems, including visitation disputes, enforcement of custody decrees, and any other court order in child custody proceedings.  

BACKGROUND: THE COMMISSION ON STATE MANDATES AND THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS  

While counties are required to comply with all state mandates, counties only receive funding to carry out a select group of state-mandated programs in the form of after-the-fact reimbursement payments from the state. After a bill is signed into law, reimbursement for counties to comply with state-mandated programs is not automatic. Rather, counties initiate the process to receive reimbursement via filing a “test claim” for reimbursement with the Commission on State Mandates. The Commission on State Mandates deliberates and determines whether the new law meets the criteria for reimbursement. If the Commission determines that it does, the Commission begins work on Parameters and Guidelines, which establish a process and rate for reimbursement for the program. For more information about state mandates and the Commission on State Mandates, see CSAC’s Issue Brief on State-Mandated Programs and CSAC’s publication, Meeting the Mandate: Counties Respond to Shifting Costs, Responsibilities, and Outcomes.