Joint Sunset Review Committee.

Senator Ochoa Bogh's proposal to enhance California's government oversight framework would establish new reporting and evaluation requirements for state agencies subject to sunset review. The legislation outlines specific criteria for agencies to demonstrate their continued necessity and cost-effectiveness through comprehensive reports submitted to the Joint Sunset Review Committee.

Under the proposed requirements, agencies scheduled for sunset review must submit detailed reports by December 2026 documenting their mission fulfillment, regulatory actions, and operational efficiency. These reports must include analyses of regulatory costs to consumers and businesses, assessments of statutory compliance, and evaluations of enforcement outcomes. The legislation defines regulatory actions as those imposing costs exceeding $300 per individual or $8,000 per business annually.

The Joint Sunset Review Committee would conduct systematic analyses of each agency's operations, incorporating public testimony through mandatory hearings held every five years. Following its review, the committee would publish recommendations on whether agencies should maintain their current structure, undergo modifications, or consolidate with other entities. The bill defines "public need" as oversight or regulatory functions serving essential public interests, including affordability and access to public facilities, utilities, social services, and patient safety measures.

This expansion of the sunset review process aims to create a standardized framework for evaluating agency performance and necessity while increasing opportunities for public input. The committee's published findings would provide a public record of agency effectiveness and recommendations for potential structural changes to improve governmental efficiency.