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State Water Board: ELAP fund stable for now; staff not proposing fee changes
Summary
State Water Resources Control Board staff said the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program's (ELAP) fee-setting budget is slightly lower in the governor’s May revise and that staff are not proposing fee changes for labs this year, citing a built-up fund reserve and stabilized lab participation.
State Water Resources Control Board staff reported to stakeholders on a virtual call that the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) fee-setting budget in the governor’s May revise for fiscal year 2025–26 is $4.6 million, down about $80,000 (1.7%) from last year’s fee-setting budget.
Tracy Lutz summarized ELAP cost drivers and David Ciccarelli explained the fund condition: staff said ELAP closed FY 2023–24 with revenues exceeding expenditures and a built fund reserve; current forecasts show revenues and expenditures roughly aligned under existing fee schedules, and staff are not proposing fee adjustments for ELAP at this time.
Why it matters: ELAP accredits or inspects environmental laboratories that perform drinking-water and environmental testing. Fee changes or program cuts can affect lab operating costs and accreditation capacity.
Key figures and staff comments: Lutz told participants that state operations, government-efficiency reductions (budget letter 24-24) and pro rata adjustments account for the small net decrease in ELAP’s budget. Ciccarelli said that staff have seen a modest drop in the number of participating labs in prior years but that the trend appears to be stabilizing; as a result, staff feel the current fund reserve and revenue forecast can support current program activity without a fee increase.
Stakeholders responded: Tim (stakeholder) commented that some labs are facing “incredible increases in the cost of new equipment to actually perform some of the tests” and suggested fee relief would be beneficial. Staff acknowledged the equipment-cost concern but said current projections support no fee change this year; they will continue to monitor participation and costs.
Next steps: ELAP staff will continue monitoring lab participation, equipment-cost pressures, and expenditures; any future proposals for fee changes would be returned to stakeholders and the board for policy consideration. The next joint Drinking Water and ELAP stakeholder meeting is scheduled for August 1, when staff will present final figures after the state budget is adopted.
Ending: For now, ELAP staff said they plan no fee-change proposal and will present updated fund figures to stakeholders and board members after the final state budget is known.
