[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6582041,"mediaKeyId","3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4","parentId",3172290,"title","Senate subcommittee questions CDFA budget as cyber, lab and farm-to-school spending rise","audioSeconds",4104,"startMs",70000,"endMs",4174000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4&start=70&end=4174","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4/thumbnail_70000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582041/California/Senate-subcommittee-questions-CDFA-budget-as-cyber-lab-and-farm-to-school-spending-rise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582041-90dcf2c554e1c88043f2790956e75990/orig.mp4?Expires=1770539499&Signature=dgy9QF2WNB-VDZ2Er08PZ0exb9yIyx8v31lj5TWZn9pXIsTiBOjJfJQEdJ0vZJ6Rl4wQRnfljRn3U-AFXUUpJHM2A6pWwVzu~X36uYc0Fja~vjs74FWmXtY1876en8CGcrLyfQ-MDKI773~c4XO~xcUFx~XO~R~reJD1i6sbmw9pixHW7auaE-nr0HR6l9lhrDOb-0f1ffnrBC2gHDlZq0pqbCiGeGTqNEdR-cXoHvtx0dYAV64saOt3VzdmIi5L0wHdXFlVPTDGo5urMlEJr27ceh7S-Xgnketqi720J3KHZGGU9gJUP4twNuNjRj75oU38fgo6LGsbDEoFWpCMWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Subcommittee No. 4 on Tuesday heard an overview of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) proposed 2025–26 budget and pressed department officials on contingency planning, spending priorities and funding sources.

CDFA Deputy Secretary for Administration and Finance Arma Cozina told the subcommittee the governor’s 2025–26 proposal would support CDFA with roughly $775,000,000 and about 2,075 positions. The department’s funding mix in the governor’s proposal includes general fund, industry assessments, federal grants, bond and other funds. “CDFA’s mission is really to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace,” Cozina said.

The subcommittee focused on several budget change proposals (BCPs) that Chair Cabaldon said required further review given the state’s broader fiscal constraints. Those included a cybersecurity remediation proposal, operational funding for a new Turlock North Valley Animal Health Laboratory, a $24.9 million Farm to School proposal and a $131.8 million initial appropriation request tied to programs identified in Proposition 4 (the climate bond).

Why it matters: The items under discussion carry operational and public‑health consequences (cybersecurity and laboratory capacity) and longer‑term policy and budget implications (climate bond spending and school food procurement). Members repeatedly asked how the department would adapt if expected federal funding declines and whether costs could be shifted to industry funds or otherwise reduced.

Key details and department responses

Federal funding and contingency planning: CDFA said federal grants account for about 20% of its overall budget in 2025–26 and that some federal cooperative agreements (notably food safety/produce safety programs) are likely to face a roughly 10% reduction next federal fiscal year. Cozina described ongoing conversations with federal partners and said the department is evaluating whether scope, rather than immediate state backfill, would be the more likely response if federal funding falls.

Cybersecurity remediation (item 12): CDFA requested $2.478 million General Fund in 2025–26 and five permanent positions to address identified critical vulnerabilities following a March 2024 incident that exposed private data on a public website. The BCP includes additional funding in later years ($4.1 million in 2026–27, $3.6 million in 2027–28 and ongoing) for upgrades, security assessments and monitoring. Staff and Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) representatives voiced no technical objection, but senators urged caution given overall general fund pressures; the subcommittee held the item open for further review.

Turlock North Valley Animal Health Laboratory (item 13): CDFA requested $1.61 million General Fund in 2025–26 and $3.3 million in 2026–27 (ongoing) to cover operating costs for the new 41,000‑square‑foot laboratory (the current facility is ~5,100 sq ft). The lab will expand necropsy and large‑mammal testing capacity in the Central Valley; CDFA described the request as consistent with prior operational estimates. Committee members asked whether special funds or industry assessments could cover any of the cost; CDFA said Food and Agricultural Code limits how certain special‑fund dollars can be used and that outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza have statewide public‑health dimensions, which supports a general‑fund ask. The subcommittee held the item open.

Farm to School (item 4): CDFA seeks $24.9 million General Fund in 2025–26 to continue and expand its Farm to School efforts, including a $20 million Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, $3 million for climate‑smart agricultural technical assistance, and $1.9 million for network programming. LAO recommended weighing the request against other general‑fund priorities and suggested some components might be eligible for Proposition 98 school funding if the legislature chose to reallocate. Committee members sought data about grant recipients and urban school participation; CDFA said it reached 49% of California schoolchildren to date and that 80% of schools served in the most recent funding cycle were Title I schools. The subcommittee held the item open.

Proposition 4 (climate bond) items (item 15): CDFA proposed an initial $131.8 million appropriation in 2025–26 for nine programs identified in Prop 4 (eight climate‑smart agriculture programs and one extreme‑heat/fairgrounds resiliency program), with the remainder requested later. The department proposed accelerated funding for some existing programs (SWEEP, Healthy Soils, urban agriculture, invasive species prevention) and phased approaches for new programs (tribal food sovereignty, farm equipment sharing). LAO found the CDFA expenditure plan generally reasonable and noted that using existing program structures allows quicker deployment; LAO recommended the legislature consider statutory guidance for new programs. The subcommittee held the item open to follow up.

Follow‑ups and outstanding questions

- CDFA agreed to provide additional detail on the current operating cost of existing animal health labs and follow‑up information on Farm to School applicant demographics and the geographic distribution of awards.
- The Department of Finance and LAO urged careful value‑engineering of the cybersecurity request and suggested legislative review of which climate bond elements could be phased or require statute.
- Committee members repeatedly asked departments to return with more precise breakdowns of general fund vs. special/industry funding eligibility and the consequences of alternative funding decisions.

Ending: The subcommittee declined immediate action on the CDFA items and left multiple items “held open” for follow‑up with Department of Finance and LAO analysis. The department and subcommittee agreed to additional briefings and written follow‑ups on vacant positions, federal cooperative‑agreement exposure, special‑fund authority and specific cost estimates for the new Turlock lab.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Subcommittee No. 4 on Tuesday heard an overview of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's proposed 2025–26 budget and pressed department officials on contingency planning, cybersecurity remediation, a new Turlock laboratory's operating costs, Farm to School grants and initial Proposition 4 climate bond allocations.","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},6582025,"Arts council seeks HR staff and reopens cultural district program; advocates urge restoration of $5 million",2076,7580000,9656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4&start=7580&end=9656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4/thumbnail_7580000.jpg","/articles/6582025/California/Arts-council-seeks-HR-staff-and-reopens-cultural-district-program-advocates-urge-restoration-of-5-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582025-5c55e698f20098b78654c9a746a10cbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770539499&Signature=h3MivTmXAe93YG-AAvPQrxb-RXSCbsdIdrpXd5WOIwIwVTDWabJfcqL9Xa6nEqDugK5I7DA0LX39T2M9-gBgkpfDZCN39wsoddp6kz0zGYkgr65pI7seTnyrmid-K3KIw2DpEmJTYp0kTJhkuMqUiZE-c5mEwfpNTDU22rOVrI30QB6NEmqct~whrMrh4DC64tFhb5cvf9XmJ~PWruH~AL5QUmisMDW4zRepI-RwB1fWbYiRlxxybDNdfq79C7sGLQsL9oWU8XFk0GUamk3IJtIzbV4hfoCVHMO0xcir3evmh78zZ4iHNtBaXPmDm~IU9aZOi8ikrh-unhTZgMW8RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Arts Council (CAC) requested $153,000 General Fund to add one permanent position (an HR liaison) to support statewide grantmaking and program administration. Executive Director Danielle Bridal said the council is the state’s only dedicated arts funder and manages a portfolio of grant programs that serve all 58 counties.

Separately, the CAC told the subcommittee it will re‑open the cultural districts designation application on May 20 and aims to make new designations at its December council meeting. The program—created by statute in 2015—designates place‑based cultural districts (examples include Little Tokyo and Barrio Logan) and helps those communities access technical assistance and state support. CAC staff said program guidance will use an equity lens and the Healthy Places Index to prioritize historically underserved communities.

Why it matters: Cultural districts can serve as economic anchors, local identity hubs and tools for equitable cultural investment. Several witnesses representing local arts groups urged restoring prior budget reductions and increasing funding for cultural districts, citing measurable community benefits.

Public comments and advocacy

- Local arts leaders and statewide advocates urged legislature to restore $5 million cut over the prior 2‑year period and to add $5 million for cultural districts expansion. Speakers described local impacts—youth arts programming, small‑business support, tourism benefits—and asked for resources targeted to disadvantaged communities.

- CAC staff described existing outreach, technical assistance and a gap analysis that identified underrepresented district typologies and geographic areas that need focused outreach and capacity building. The council emphasized using targeted technical assistance and public‑comment‑driven program design to reach communities that have historically been excluded.

Ending: Senators signaled support for the council’s work and asked for follow‑up on the staff conversion and the cultural districts rollout; the subcommittee held items open for follow‑up.","The California Arts Council asked the subcommittee for a permanent HR liaison and previewed re‑opening of the cultural district designation process; arts advocates and local leaders urged restoration of $5 million in council funding and expansion of cultural district grants.",{"_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},6582031,"California Science Center asks for maintenance funding; opening timeline for Air and Space Center not yet set",547,6917000,7464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4&start=6917&end=7464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4/thumbnail_6917000.jpg","/articles/6582031/California/California-Science-Center-asks-for-maintenance-funding-opening-timeline-for-Air-and-Space-Center-not-yet-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582031-e066669890d585571beebf7dd6948aee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770539499&Signature=m51Y9B0lgkREpGJlqITJS-uTo2IIT7TWfEKFWknHynF8-p-Av0-vOEVhO0eObNpKtd7p0s~KGOnfXwKZAbukncokcnSJE4Rj2FYjT2r7--0GqGv7l89Rs~BDUABaeSAYjTGrCYaf1pN~Q55AVgpdsMZE6Nm2aUFIF52D870CZR~sASRbVtBL26iP-SBJ8QbAum0V0lf6X3xghpfed4w3FBGfFIYGv~ZD~XXi~IDAk5BRMUODRjjYLizgOhJEMkdQmkMtN84iJSqSnyZgM364oFakE9gBgzSTEI3DNMXg-tga3tsZah-GYdYajAGmOL1EHhVwvzZLBzGbCQySBGjSSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Science Center told the subcommittee that construction of its Air and Space Center—the phase that will house the space shuttle Endeavour and a large collection of aircraft and spacecraft—is nearly complete, but state funding requests before the committee cover maintenance and custodial obligations rather than public opening and operations.

Jeff Rudolph, President of the California Science Center, said the project nearly doubles the museum’s footprint and that installation of artifacts and exhibits has begun. The building itself is close to completion, but the museum’s operating budget to open the facility to the public remains unresolved.

Why it matters: The project is a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar public‑private undertaking and the center already draws about 2 million annual visitors; the new phase will add major exhibition capacity and has statewide tourism and economic implications.

Details presented

- Project scale and status: Rudolph described the third phase as the Air and Space Center, a $450 million project overall; the state contributed $80 million and the remainder has been raised privately. The museum has begun artifact installation and exhibit work but needs additional funding to open the facility to visitors.

- Maintenance request only: The governor’s budget item under consideration covers maintenance and mothballing obligations to preserve the building and installed artifacts after turnover; it does not fund public opening or day‑to‑day operations. LAO noted an eventual, larger request for operational funds is likely and currently without an identified funding source. CDFA and museum officials noted no plan to open the center to the public in FY2025–26 without additional resources.

Committee remarks and timing

Senators emphasized the tourism and economic value of the center—highlighting major upcoming events in California (including international sporting events) that would increase visitation demand—and asked for a clearer timeline for the operational funding request. Department of Finance said it would not commit to a timeline for a future operational request due to general fund constraints but acknowledged future actions might be required.

Ending: The subcommittee held the maintenance request open, requested more precise operational cost estimates and a clearer timeline for any reopening proposal that would seek state funds.","The California Science Center described near‑completion of its Air and Space Center building and requested maintenance funding; the subcommittee was told that resources to open the center to the public have not been identified and an opening in FY2025–26 is unlikely without additional funds.",{"_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},6582036,"DFPI seeks fee increases as agency warns of looming shortfall; LAO urges short term approval and monitoring",1267,4233000,5500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4&start=4233&end=5500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3172290-ced9fc7ba62fa23c353a5984b413fbc4/thumbnail_4233000.jpg","/articles/6582036/California/DFPI-seeks-fee-increases-as-agency-warns-of-looming-shortfall-LAO-urges-short-term-approval-and-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582036-706cbfb2e475930fad403490828f3711/orig.mp4?Expires=1770539499&Signature=YgDWFhpt30pH3zRiKwuHQyhmXvdWjBg36XbgCSL96VK~Y1rkfKwdHpSSiBjnCgPYYtD1rI34rke1UGQJMCuUk9YKIilztB4xGp8k2AgLDxkhgGL7gY-PiAWh~w2TsUNF3TsFK0bVFl3YpQ3HDourRFBRQlyXqLNVO9IIGKtxETpsLK9TfWgGzgw03Xz9rlTL5CBLCREFEWAtC1d9UAfkWeVfyDjIsjbQlPMjpy3dlKHxynDyYBT5rDFtjYe4WXel88n2qwMCj4sOvZP2ekV9ovj~YFmsmSmYdF-lTKeF3Mh5HV2~19Cv5zfw-m-jGfea2I2jRbrcF95MRInf-8cv8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) told Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 it needs statutory fee authority changes to avoid insolvency of its Financial Protection Fund. DFPI staff said long‑stagnant statutory fees, expanded regulatory responsibilities and rising operational costs have produced a structural deficit.

DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the agency is primarily special‑funded and that historical fee schedules—some dating back decades—have not kept pace with workload and inflation. DFPI said it commissioned Crowe LLP to analyze program sustainability; DFPI and Department of Finance officials said that without fee changes the fund could reach a negative balance in FY2025–26 and materially worsen in subsequent years.

LAO recommendations and debate

The Legislative Analyst's Office recommended the legislature approve the department’s proposed fee increases for the programs identified, but on a limited three‑year term. LAO said that short term approval would let the legislature assess the market impact of higher fees, observe actual revenues collected and require DFPI to provide detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the trailer bill language. DFPI opposed automatic short sunsets, arguing licensees require predictability and the department needs sustainable, ongoing authority to cover program costs.

What the proposal would do

DFPI said the trailer‑bill language targets several licensing programs (broker‑dealer/investment advisors, franchise, California residential mortgage lending, escrow, and others) and would: (1) increase certain statutory assessments to reflect current workload and (2) modify the commissioner’s authority to set hourly examination rates (proposed $120/hour for examinations was discussed as a department‑wide rate for some programs). DFPI estimates the fee package in the bill will address roughly $45.8 million of an identified multi‑year shortfall; other gaps include the cost of new programs and other existing program deficits DFPI says it will address through existing commissioner authority and other measures.

Why it matters

Senators stressed the consumer‑protection role DFPI plays and the risk that sudden, large fee increases can have market effects. LAO urged caution and monitoring: approving fee increases for a limited term would allow the legislature to measure industry response, verify revenue projections and consider adjustments. DFPI countered that a short sunset would hinder recruitment and long‑term planning.

Follow‑ups and public comment

DFPI agreed to annual program reviews and to monitor revenues and expenditures monthly. LAO requested DFPI provide detailed plans for how remaining shortfalls would be addressed. Stakeholders including the California Mortgage Bankers Association attended and sought clarity about how assessments would be calculated and billed for the September assessment cycle.

Ending: The subcommittee held the DFPI fee language open for additional legislative consideration and follow‑up reporting, with members indicating agreement about the agency’s consumer‑protection importance but divergent views about the governance of fee changes.","The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation told the subcommittee that statutory fees have lagged rising costs and expanded responsibilities, leaving its financial protection fund at risk. The department seeks statutory fee changes to stabilize the fund; the LAO recommended a time‑limited approval with required reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate subcommittee questions CDFA budget as cyber, lab and farm-to-school spending rise

Arts council seeks HR staff and reopens cultural district program; advocates urge restoration of $5 million

California Science Center asks for maintenance funding; opening timeline for Air and Space Center not yet set

DFPI seeks fee increases as agency warns of looming shortfall; LAO urges short term approval and monitoring