CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

May 26, 2026

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Newsom and Legislative Leaders Announce Budget Agreement
Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that his administration had reached a budget agreement with Senate and Assembly leadership; the agreement modifies the ‘placeholder’ Budget passed by the Legislature on June 15 and previously reported in California Cattleman Weekly.

According to the Governor’s office, the $351.7 billion spending plan balances the General Fund budget for the state’s next two fiscal years.

The Legislature is likely to vote on the Budget Bill this evening, in addition to legislation modifying the budget allocations for the prior four fiscal years and roughly 18 budget trailer bills (bills which amend policy provisions of statute to effectuate the Budget). A list of all budget bills and budget trailer bills currently in print is available here.

The Budget agreement retains some promising provisions for cattle producers. For instance, according to an Assembly Floor Report, the negotiated agreement includes $1.25 billion to backfill state operations and fire protection funding at CAL FIRE and appropriates $228,000 for CDFA’s implementation of CCA-sponsored AB 411 (Papan, 2025), which authorizes on-ranch composting of routine livestock mortalities.

Unfortunately, despite CCA’s dogged advocacy efforts, the Budget still does not propose additional funding for CDFW’s Wolf Program to fund compensation, collaring and other management priorities. That said, lawmakers have punted decisions on Proposition 4 (the 2024 Climate Bond) and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund spending until August, and Assembly Budget Advisor Jason Sisney notes that “additional budget legislation [is] possible later [this] week or in the closing days of the legislative session in August,” so we have yet to see the final word on the FY 2026-27 State Budget.

CCA will keep members apprised of further Budget developments and will provide greater detail regarding Budget provisions relevant to cattle producers in an upcoming edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

Forest Service Issues Directive to Expand Grazing Access on National Forests
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has issued a directive instructing all U.S. Forest Service line officers to take a variety of actions in support of grazing on Forest Service lands. Under the directive, staff are to prioritize access to vacant and closed grazing allotments, promote permit flexibility and streamline permit authorization. Rollins’ directive is in furtherance of a March 31 memorandum of understanding “Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and BLM Lands” and the USDA-Department of Interior Grazing Action Plan. For additional details, see the June 15 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

LAST CHANCE: Producers Encouraged to Complete Livestock Veterinary Care Access Survey
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has partnered with California Farm Bureau to gather feedback on veterinary access throughout the state. According to California Farm Bureau, “The information collected may help support future veterinary shortage designations and strengthen participation in the USDA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program.” Cattle ranchers and other livestock producers are encouraged to take the survey no matter their level of access to veterinary care.

To take the survey, click here. The survey closes tomorrow.

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