[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6628641,"mediaKeyId","2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b","parentId",2716010,"title","LAO urges shared-cost plan for DNA identification fund; DOJ and Finance warn of local impacts","audioSeconds",1192,"startMs",2861000,"endMs",4053000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b&start=2861&end=4053","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b/thumbnail_2861000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628641/California/LAO-urges-shared-cost-plan-for-DNA-identification-fund-DOJ-and-Finance-warn-of-local-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628641-7be6b5fdeee2bd998decbdd4f765fbd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=O7bvJ1EcVsZK094c5Gn3Hjc6YkM1y3oKI4p812jOzA9JH4B2PM4uBMOW1uJ6e1dxU5ReRQ1iUud-Fw5yQIn4UcP5PqzMx5WkyHONlfPvgjfB3DXu-jDpxvgNB35v5NLTONWSigVF4DQPGpdN-EkUbn0NvxnJ32ya3nttQB9mqBZ34jkMvqpoBEZgP86~4B3OKOheu9ZS8EB6EiVNtgLieEeoqmoQyhVsEb-AeaN5jrP-2rOYvL4bNx2AnpR1qZTn68bggdcPZoq7QJ--q3jcAYG1wtoh2D6W5hJipIO-ZCFfgE4RWwIvdD4h9JzLzGCO-nIu9zeS4FaB~1JnukUPlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Senate","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate budget subcommittee heard competing fiscal recommendations on the DNA Identification Fund and the Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS). The Legislative Analyst's Office said the Legislature should reject a permanent general‑fund backfill and instead implement a user-cost sharing model with a plan submitted by DOJ by October 2025.

\"The governor's budget is proposing an ongoing general fund backfill beginning in 20 six-twenty 7 for the DNA identification fund,\" Anita Lee of the Legislative Analyst's Office told the subcommittee, and the LAO recommended rejecting that approach in favor of a cost‑sharing structure that would require users of BFS services to partially support operations beginning in 2026–27.

LAO argued that a shared funding model would address insolvency in the DNA Identification Fund, reduce the state general‑fund burden and create incentives for more efficient evidence submission. The LAO recommended DOJ submit a plan by October 2025 describing how user payments would be calculated, possible sliding scales by agency size or service speed, and a proposed share of operations costs borne by users.

Department of Finance and DOJ witnesses, and BFS leadership, cautioned that charging local law enforcement or prosecutors for forensic services could create inequities, especially for smaller or rural counties, and might incentivize local agencies to withhold or triage evidence. Barry Miller, forensic scientist and BFS laboratory director, said the bureau was formed in 1972 to provide equitable access statewide and that the bureau often guides collection decisions and triages evidence with investigators.

Miller described past analyses and reports (including a San Diego grand jury report and prior research) that found fee-for-service models produced collection shortfalls and inequities in other jurisdictions. He said the bureau provides statewide services such as the California DNA Data Bank and missing‑persons DNA work, and warned that user fees could disrupt long-standing regional assistance to smaller counties.

The committee discussed trade-offs between state general-fund support and local capacity; no formal budget action was taken at the hearing. The LAO's recommendation invites a rule-making and stakeholder consultation process, while DOJ and Finance stressed concerns about equity and local budget impacts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation","oneSentenceSummary","The Legislative Analyst's Office recommended the Legislature reject an ongoing general‑fund backfill for the DNA Identification Fund and instead require a DOJ plan to transition to a user cost‑sharing model for Bureau of Forensic Services operations.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628646,"Senate panel hears DOJ firearms budget request and LAO urges framework to align fees and workload",776,1259000,2035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b&start=1259&end=2035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6628646/California/Senate-panel-hears-DOJ-firearms-budget-request-and-LAO-urges-framework-to-align-fees-and-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628646-c897d72e6aa0eb2bd98b2818cdee8019/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=X2DW2NRKrThoxgROH4kzWN3wXCTjEfNsPQJbWJXmoOOxVY67lJIX9aJr4shpmRqYGJfXGeX364tXmwkHBOCV9E9KMUm5cL~qjH-HmvOjzGD0cVbgnCsN7zKcUadhyf928jaFSts5GhktwxTXXTF0t9FwTj49AHqnnWB2osXbvau2IR0etd2DTb-c~FGnMuuuVupEG~cGm6ghA3Ojf1DrsT~86gBk4zIEJDzrLZCvXSpAJ7bmOH6HlvRmNrJudHARfNYEt~65ONCDfpNTW2rGNzFgC5dG7fikT3MlW-YgSa8jhfiQZbvL-W9ry69pdo9hWwLfmker8YQCgXlnjvgR4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Justice presented proposals to fund increased firearms workload and a multiyear IT modernization project to a Senate budget subcommittee, and the Legislative Analyst's Office recommended the Legislature direct DOJ to submit a framework for matching workload to funding sources.

\"The governor's budget proposes 19,200,000.0 in 2526 which includes 18,600,000.0 general fund and 640,000 from various special funds,\" Ashley Harp of DOJ said, summarizing the administration's firearms proposals. She described core functions such as background checks, the concealed-carry program and an effort to modernize firearms IT systems (referred to in testimony as FITZSIM), and said some workload growth resulted from recent legislation and court decisions.

Anita Lee of the Legislative Analyst's Office told the committee she had \"no concerns with the proposals because they are to enact recently implemented legislation or to deal with increased workload,\" but she urged the committee to require DOJ to submit, by January 2026, a framework for deciding what portion of firearms work should be supported by regulatory fees and what should be paid from the general fund. Lee noted the DROS special account has solvency concerns and that the FITZSIM replacement of about 17 existing firearm and ammunition systems could require \"several hundred million dollars\" over coming years.

DOF and DOJ witnesses acknowledged the complexity and legal considerations tied to regulatory fees and said they would work with LAO and the Legislature. Senators pressed whether recurring general-fund commitments were appropriate given projected multiyear deficits and whether raising fees could risk litigation or unintended market effects.

Committee members also asked DOJ to analyze trends such as ghost guns, off-market purchases and cross-border purchases that could be affected by fee levels. DOJ said it would follow up with data for the committee. No formal vote was recorded on firearms proposals at this hearing; the subcommittee sought the LAO-recommended framework and additional data ahead of next year's budget cycle.","DOJ told a Senate budget subcommittee the governor's budget includes a firearms package—about $19.2 million in 2025–26—mainly supported by the general fund, and LAO recommended a formal framework to align firearms workload with fee revenue amid special-fund solvency risks.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628652,"DOJ gives budget overview to Senate subcommittee; Finance and LAO flag special fund reductions and timing",389,853000,1242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b&start=853&end=1242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b/thumbnail_853000.jpg","/articles/6628652/California/DOJ-gives-budget-overview-to-Senate-subcommittee-Finance-and-LAO-flag-special-fund-reductions-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628652-daa97092e4b232615265322326c4a00a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=dQwwcrTMnO8beciAMnR7BROORV4BTv~YbqNSklhPKSYOKbJ-k5iRx3D7UaMT8G3prhk3Io2Hd7RjtVEwFoIJW8sQMfY2baHCAls5Hn1ZXzuu0-dZJLdAP~UumG~4fC-Cpfc-dGnFCG4KbKZfBESHzc5qlxAXPNuqIJfddx9dNQEL0y5yW8Jj9YBOL3v67OQmTpqub0ApOXAcRk6X4UYJZD77QFmmSI9lIZhkvqrmTBkXGz17bMkOlAGW22p3zO6gYaifpweBKaVCC-YCJtCLsKfgow3rviWB4LvrVTFt30VYJUE3gyeA~3zBzehIwwLbPDOYkCMQ35pzVQ51bAEG9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Department of Justice presented its proposed budget to the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5, describing a plan of roughly $1.3 billion in total resources and 6,000-plus employees statewide, and answering questions about planned efficiency reductions to special funds.

\"The governor's proposed budget for the Department of Justice is comprised of approximately 1,300,000,000.0, dollars, which is approximately 6, 40% general fund and 60% special funds,\" Ashley Harp, assistant director of fiscal operations at DOJ, told the committee. She described special funds as a blend of fees, enforcement actions and settlements and summarized the department's workload across consumer protection, identity-theft and other areas.

Members pressed DOJ and Department of Finance staff on why the administration proposed reductions to special funds rather than the general fund and on the timing of detailed programmatic reductions. Anthony Franzily from the Department of Finance said the administration plans to release more detailed control-section reductions soon and that the January 10 letter identifying associated dollars and positions remains accurate.

Anita Lee of the Legislative Analyst's Office suggested the committee request earlier and clearer information on programmatic impacts, saying several proposals for implementing legislation lacked fiscal estimates during the policy process. The chair and members asked DOJ to improve timeliness of fiscal estimates so the Legislature can assess cost impacts before bills are enacted.

DOJ officials said they process hundreds of bills annually and sometimes discover implementation costs only after enactment. DOJ pledged to work on internal processes to provide earlier estimates and to coordinate with budget staff so committees have more complete information during policy and appropriations deliberations.

No formal budget votes were taken during the overview; the subcommittee directed DOJ and Finance to provide additional detail to the committee as May revise materials become available.","Department of Justice officials presented a $1.3 billion proposed budget and described proposed efficiency reductions. Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance witnesses flagged special-fund solvency and timing concerns for proposed reductions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628656,"State public defender outlines expanded role in indigent defense and Racial Justice Act work",716,120000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b&start=120&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6628656/California/State-public-defender-outlines-expanded-role-in-indigent-defense-and-Racial-Justice-Act-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628656-163628e9be7b4a289c89f5fc87f29a0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=isxfwzJdAVrZFMcDW7tsEJB1CpvCwyb4ZQc2ywQShng7uKmNBo-wjbfQE9h7lCdUsAmSaxts4FVZ06z0JLwcZ1ltbSsbnp5UP5nKCYJbkjrZohbsQnv2CgBz6OgPYVY3v4wiHcBBKaG3Ub6xp7QKpEVrwR1vaSlPhV6~FQhxqsK3gipSG5qo1fobGUg99BAIfZ7w7QapJvzbiwOtnxaMtsZvu08U5suuHRuXTPcTv~Gcl~E2djG4KnbJcKmSgPIL~AKD6woXmgWlIsAjRMVuR33PQKrAKVpNsP2dXdsJ9O3cdlUk5JObWlhoWEz0zY3-i94fJrqn2RGBb8fFGsNKcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the State Public Defender told the California State Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Thursday that it has two core mandates: representing people on appeals, including capital cases, and supporting local public defender systems through training and technical assistance.

\"The Office of the State Public Defender is an independent agency. We have 2 primary mandates. First, our lawyers represent people on appeals, primarily those sentenced to death,\" Gallit Lipa, a representative from the Office of the State Public Defender, told the panel. She added: \"The cases that OSPD works on are, incredibly complex and multifaceted. Our lawyers are true experts on California criminal law.\"

Lipa said OSPD also provides statewide training, files amicus briefs, holds moot courts and offers technical assistance to policy makers. She described a newer duty, formed around 2021, to help counties that lack institutional public defender offices; she said 24 counties in California do not have institutional public defender systems and that OSPD works with small and rural counties on capacity building.

Lipa discussed the office's work on implementation of the Racial Justice Act (RJA), which the office said initially applied to capital defendants and then was expanded retroactively. \"As RJA implementation has expanded, to more groups, our agency has become a resource and training hub for attorneys,\" she said, and added that the office has seen \"more than a a tenfold\" increase in California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests tied to that work.

Committee members asked about the office's data and public access. Lipa said OSPD collects sentencing data from CDCR and various counties and that some data are public now, with work ongoing to increase availability. She agreed to share links and materials with the committee and to provide additional detail on the office's Indigent Defense Improvement Division, which she described as having two programs: training and capacity building.

The committee chair noted interest in a fuller presentation on Proposition 36 impacts and other workload items before final budget decisions. The subcommittee did not take a formal vote on any budget item during the OSPD overview.

The OSPD testimony and the committee’s questions focused on staffing, data availability, training and the effect of expanded RJA implementation on the office’s workload and CPRA demand.","The Office of the State Public Defender told a California Senate budget subcommittee that it represents capital appeals, supports county public defenders through training and capacity building, and has seen a sharp rise in public-records requests tied to retroactive Racial Justice Act work.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628636,"DOJ seeks six investigators to speed background checks; chief says processing time could be halved",396,4117000,4513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b&start=4117&end=4513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2716010-e5832001700521f11cabc5a2c933c37b/thumbnail_4117000.jpg","/articles/6628636/California/DOJ-seeks-six-investigators-to-speed-background-checks-chief-says-processing-time-could-be-halved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628636-09739e901e3a4af40b774d936f9eb865/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183816&Signature=aKVlEg4pyzcCh8jENWIgV-sidWShvRb9loQ5~gma-QTkG5UubN3tcdzbpHnwHuQnG6befH8YPPfcExvQZFBxMvGRSC7nvN~DseE4s1KH5IBNv9oV8N~KPaWReHOwClVH~6nrh36fdTnxbc7TicJi2Ew7dlXb58pneCXYsmpRh3nK7kn7Pr4IindBwC4a3uh9ETjIur9wRgez1p29~4NRjdHL3JU9rNGYQJggQY7IwCGiq1aYgFoVakuWpPJMqbakZzUxrGJUxezQZUJOcciL-vGX5~nwzMBEumTYLdl33OU7nDkQRez1X8qm-HkKXvZHRfff2v6AzaHfjTHWUVOxtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Department of Justice requested funding for six additional special investigators in its Background Investigations Unit to reduce lengthy pre‑employment checks required by POST and other standards.

\"The proposed budget includes $1,000,000, which is comprised of 213,000 general fund and 790,000 special fund in 20 25 26, decreasing to 931,000...to support 6 additional special investigator positions to maintain the ongoing workload for the division of law enforcement's bureau, the background investigations unit,\" Ashley Harp of DOJ said in testimony.

Chief Stephen Willery (identified in testimony as the chief for the division of law enforcement) told senators the unit currently faces staffing constraints that lengthen background checks and that adding dedicated investigators would cut processing time \"in half\" once staff are onboard and steady state. Willery said two‑week turnaround is unrealistic given moving parts—references, vacation schedules and other delays—but that the unit could reasonably aim toward a four- to six-week timeframe with the new positions.

Senators expressed support for faster processing, noting long delays may cause qualified candidates to accept other positions. The chair asked DOJ to aim for near‑30‑day processing where feasible and to provide follow-up on expected improvement once recruitment and onboarding plans are available.

The committee did not take formal action on the funding proposal at this hearing; DOJ staff said they would provide additional detail on recruitment timelines and expected throughput improvements for the committee's review.","The Department of Justice requested funding for six special investigator positions to reduce delays in POST-mandated pre-employment background investigations; DOJ said the additional positions could cut current turnaround roughly in half, potentially improving hiring outcomes for public-service positions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LAO urges shared-cost plan for DNA identification fund; DOJ and Finance warn of local impacts

Senate panel hears DOJ firearms budget request and LAO urges framework to align fees and workload

DOJ gives budget overview to Senate subcommittee; Finance and LAO flag special fund reductions and timing

State public defender outlines expanded role in indigent defense and Racial Justice Act work

DOJ seeks six investigators to speed background checks; chief says processing time could be halved