SB 856 - Budget Act of 2018 Summary

• Amends the 2018-19 state budget by modifying existing appropriations and adding new budget items across multiple state departments and funds, totaling billions in allocations.

• Allocates $645 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the State Air Resources Board for mobile source emissions reductions, climate change programs, and community air protection initiatives.

• Provides $165 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for forest health, vegetation management, prescribed burns, and wildfire prevention programs.

• Authorizes $200 million for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and establishes restrictions requiring departments to encumber only 75% of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appropriations until final cap-and-trade auction proceeds are determined.

• Includes specific allocations for child care services ($1.3 billion), Medi-Cal healthcare ($57.5 billion), social services programs, education, transportation, and local assistance grants to cities and counties for various infrastructure and community projects.