ARTICLE 4. Powers and Duties [65040. - 65040.17.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 4.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040. Section 65040.

The Office of Planning and Research shall serve the Governor and the Governor’s Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research, and constitute the comprehensive state planning agency. In this capacity, the office shall: (a) Assisted by the Planning Advisory and Assistance Council established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 65040.6, engage in the formulation, evaluation and updating of long-range goals and policies for land use, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, development, open space, resource preservation and utilization, air and water quality, and other factors that shape statewide development patterns and significantly influence the quality of the state’s environment. (b) Assist in the orderly preparation by appropriate state departments and agencies of intermediate- and short-range functional plans to guide programs of transportation, water management, open space, recreation and other functions that relate to the protection and enhancement of the state’s environment. (c) In conjunction with the council, evaluate plans and programs of departments and agencies of state government, identify conflicts or omissions, and recommend to the Governor and the Legislature new state policies, programs and actions, or amendments of existing programs, as required, to resolve conflicts, advance statewide environmental goals to respond to emerging environmental problems and opportunities, and to assure that all state policies and programs conform to the adopted land use planning goals and programs. (d) Assist the Department of Finance in preparing, as part of the annual state budget, an integrated program of priority actions to implement state functional plans and to achieve statewide environmental goals and objectives and take other actions to assure that the program budget, submitted annually to the Legislature, contains information reporting the achievement of state goals and objectives by departments and agencies of state government. (e) Coordinate the development of policies and criteria to ensure the federal grants-in-aid administered or directly expended by state government advance statewide environmental goals and objectives. (f) Coordinate the development and operation of a statewide environmental monitoring system to assess the implications of present growth and development trends on the environment and to identify at an early time, potential threats to public health, natural resources and environmental quality. (g) Coordinate, in conjunction with appropriate state, regional, and local agencies, the development of objectives, criteria and procedures for the orderly evaluation and report of the impact of public and private actions on the environmental quality of the state and as a guide to the preparation of environmental impact reports required of state and local agencies in Sections 21102 and 21150 of the Public Resources Code. (h) Coordinate research activities of state government directed to the growth and development of the state and the preservation of environmental quality, render advice to the Governor, the Governor’s Cabinet, to the Legislature, and any agency or department of state government, and provide information to, and cooperate with, the Legislature or any of its committees or officers. (i) Coordinate the technical assistance provided by state departments and agencies in regional and local planning to assure that such plans are consistent with statewide environmental goals and objectives. (j) Accept and allocate or expend grants and gifts on behalf of the State of California from any source, public or private, for the purpose of state planning and undertaking other planning and coordinating activities, and supporting community partnerships and strategic communication activities, as will implement the policy and intent of the Legislature as set forth herein. (k) Develop long-range policies to assist the state and local agencies in meeting the problems presented by the growth and development of urban areas and defining the complementary roles of the state, cities, counties, school districts, and special districts with respect to such growth. ( l ) Encourage the formation and proper functioning of, and provide planning assistance to, city, county, district, and regional planning agencies. (m) Assist local government in land use planning.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.1. Section 65040.1.

In developing a land use policy for the state, the Office of Planning and Research shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation and other federal, state, regional, and local agencies in their development of a viable, feasible, and attainable long-range master plan for aviation that will provide a framework for discussions, a program of accomplishments, and a means to resolve the complex problems of air transportation in California. Such policy and plan shall be guided by the environmental goals and policies of the State Environmental Goals and Policy Report (Section 65041). The office shall advise the Legislature, from time to time, of long-range budgetary projections of the state’s share of the costs relating to the development of new airports and related communities. The projections and information relating to airports shall be provided by the Department of Transportation. It is the intent of the Legislature that society not be compelled to tolerate environmental pollution and that there be provided a level of air service acceptable to society without unacceptable costs in terms of pollution, congestion, or dollars.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.2. Section 65040.2.

(a) In connection with its responsibilities under subdivision (l) of Section 65040, the office shall develop and adopt guidelines for the preparation of and the content of the mandatory elements required in city and county general plans by Article 5 (commencing with Section 65300) of Chapter 3. For purposes of this section, the guidelines prepared pursuant to Section 50459 of the Health and Safety Code shall be the guidelines for the housing element required by Section 65302. In the event that additional elements are hereafter required in city and county general plans by Article 5 (commencing with Section 65300) of Chapter 3, the office shall adopt guidelines for those elements within six months of the effective date of the legislation requiring those additional elements. (b) The office may request from each state department and agency, as it deems appropriate, and the department or agency shall provide, technical assistance in readopting, amending, or repealing the guidelines. (c) The guidelines shall be advisory to each city and county in order to provide assistance in preparing and maintaining their respective general plans. (d) The guidelines shall contain the guidelines for addressing environmental justice matters developed pursuant to Section 65040.12. (e) The guidelines shall contain advice including recommendations for best practices to allow for collaborative land use planning of adjacent civilian and military lands and facilities. The guidelines shall encourage enhanced land use compatibility between civilian lands and any adjacent or nearby military facilities through the examination of potential impacts upon one another. (f) The guidelines shall contain advice for addressing the effects of civilian development on military readiness activities carried out on all of the following: (1) Military installations. (2) Military operating areas. (3) Military training areas. (4) Military training routes. (5) Military airspace. (6) Other territory adjacent to those installations and areas. (g) By March 1, 2005, the guidelines shall contain advice, developed in consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission, for consulting with California Native American tribes for all of the following: (1) The preservation of, or the mitigation of impacts to, places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code. (2) Procedures for identifying through the Native American Heritage Commission the appropriate California Native American tribes. (3) Procedures for continuing to protect the confidentiality of information concerning the specific identity, location, character, and use of those places, features, and objects. (4) Procedures to facilitate voluntary landowner participation to preserve and protect the specific identity, location, character, and use of those places, features, and objects. (h) Commencing January 1, 2009, but no later than January 1, 2014, upon the next revision of the guidelines pursuant to subdivision (i), the office shall prepare or amend guidelines for a legislative body to accommodate the safe and convenient travel of users of streets, roads, and highways in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65302. (1) In developing guidelines, the office shall consider how appropriate accommodation varies depending on its transportation and land use context, including urban, suburban, or rural environments. (2) The office may consult with leading transportation experts including, but not limited to, bicycle transportation planners, pedestrian planners, public transportation planners, local air quality management districts, and disability and senior mobility planners. (i) The office shall provide for regular review and revision of the guidelines established pursuant to this section.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.3. Section 65040.3.

When requested by a local or regional agency, the office may furnish information and technical and professional advice on the preparation, adoption, amendment, and implementation of general plans, specific plans, or other local or regional plans, the preparation, adoption, amendment, and enforcement of regulations, procedures, programs, and legislation required for the implementation of local or regional plans, and information and technical and professional advice concerning planning problems.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.4. Section 65040.4.

(a) The office shall divide the state into regional planning districts. Insofar as possible, the districts shall be established to include: (1) Natural physiographical regions containing complete watersheds of major streams, and the land upon which the waters of such watersheds are put to beneficial use. (2) Areas having mutual, social, environmental, and commercial interests as exemplified by connecting routes of transportation, by trade and by common use of open space and recreation areas within the region. (b) The regional planning districts established by the Council on Intergovernmental Relations pursuant to former Section 34216 shall remain in effect as the regional planning districts of the office until changed by the office.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.5. Section 65040.5.

(a) The office shall notify a city or county with a general plan that has not been revised within eight years. (b) The office shall notify the Attorney General if a general plan of a city or county has not been revised within ten years.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.6. Section 65040.6.

(a) The Planning Advisory and Assistance Council is hereby created within the office, the membership of which shall be as follows: three city representatives; three county representatives; one representative of each district, provided that at least two of the district representatives are representatives of metropolitan areawide planning organizations and that at least one of the district representatives is a representative of a nonmetropolitan planning organization; and one representative of Indian tribes and bands which have reservations or rancherias within California. The city and county representatives appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall be selected by the director from nominees submitted by the League of California Cities and by the California State Association of Counties. Representatives of areawide planning organizations appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall be selected by the director from nominees submitted by the several areawide planning organizations within the state. Other district representatives shall be appointed by the director. The representative of Indian tribes and bands shall be a member of one tribe or band, and shall be selected by the director. Appointment to the advisory council shall be for a term of two years, provided that the members of the first council shall classify themselves by lot so that one-half shall serve an initial term of one year and one-half shall serve an initial term of two years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointment. (b) The council shall provide such advice as may be necessary to assist the office in discharging the requirements of Sections 65040 to 65040.4, inclusive. In particular, the council shall: (1) Assist the office in the preparation of the state long-range goals and policies, in the manner specified in subdivision (a) of Section 65040. (2) Evaluate the planning functions of the various state agencies involved in planning, in the manner specified in subdivision (c) of Section 65040. (3) Make appropriate decisions and provide such advice and assistance as may be required by federal statute or regulation in connection with any federal program administered by the office. (c) The council shall meet on call of the director of the office, who shall convene at least two council meetings during each year. (d) Council members shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their duties.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.7. Section 65040.7.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Energy security and military mission goals” means federal laws, regulations, or executive orders, related to alternative fuel and vehicle technology, clean energy, energy efficiency, water and waste conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and related infrastructure, including, but not limited to, the federal laws, regulations, and executive orders, and the goals set forth therein, of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 8201 et seq.), the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 17001 et seq.), the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 15801 et seq.), and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 13201 et seq.), and the goals set forth in Executive Order No. 13514, Executive Order No. 13423, and Executive Order No. 13221. (2) “State energy and environmental policies” includes, but is not limited to, policies involving alternative fuels and vehicle technology and related fueling infrastructure, renewable electricity generation and related transmission infrastructure, energy efficiency and demand response, waste management, recycling, water conservation, water quality, water supply, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and green chemistry. (b) A state agency that is identified by the Office of Planning and Research pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall, when developing and implementing state energy and environmental policies, consider the direct impacts of those policies upon the United States Department of Defense’s energy security and military mission goals. (c) The Office of Planning and Research shall do both of the following: (1) Identify state agencies that develop and implement state energy and environmental policies that directly impact the United States Department of Defense’s energy security and military mission goals in the state. (2) Serve as a liaison to coordinate effective inclusion of the United States Department of Defense in the development and implementation of state energy and environmental policy. (d) This section shall not do any of the following: (1) Interfere with the existing authority of, or prevent, an agency or department from carrying out of its programs, projects, or responsibilities. (2) Limit compliance with requirements imposed under any other law. (3) Authorize or require the United States Department of Defense to operate differently from any other self-generating ratepayer, or alter an existing rate structure.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.8. Section 65040.8.

The Office of Planning and Research shall develop a housing cost manual which may be used by local agencies in assessing the impact on housing costs of alternative land use proposals and land use regulatory programs of local agencies and as an aid in evaluating private land use proposals. The manual shall present economic and technical criteria for local agencies to use in developing or acting on, or both, general plan elements, zoning regulations, subdivision map regulations, alternative land use proposals and policies, and private land use proposals. The manual shall include a step-by-step program which local agencies may follow, including, but not limited to, sources of data, methods of summarizing and using the data, formulas for evaluating the impacts on housing costs of land use and land use regulatory decisions, and a guideline on how to prepare a single statement of results. The Office of Planning and Research shall complete the housing cost manual required by this section by January 1, 1981.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.9. Section 65040.9.

(a) On or before January 1, 2004, the Office of Planning and Research shall, if sufficient federal funds become available for this purpose, prepare and publish an advisory planning handbook for use by local officials, planners, and builders that explains how to reduce land use conflicts between the effects of civilian development and military readiness activities carried out on military installations, military operating areas, military training areas, military training routes, and military airspace, and other territory adjacent to those installations and areas. (b) At a minimum, the advisory planning handbook shall include advice regarding all of the following: (1) The collection and preparation of data and analysis. (2) The preparation and adoption of goals, policies, and standards. (3) The adoption and monitoring of feasible implementation measures. (4) Methods to resolve conflicts between civilian and military land uses and activities. (5) Recommendations for cities and counties to provide drafts of general plan and zoning changes that may directly impact military facilities, and opportunities to consult with the military base personnel prior to approving development adjacent to military facilities. (c) In preparing the advisory planning handbook, the office shall consult with persons and organizations with knowledge and experience in land use issues affecting military installations and activities. (d) The office may accept and expend any grants and gifts from any source, public or private, for the purposes of this section.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.10. Section 65040.10.

As used in this article, “State Clearinghouse” means the office of that name established by executive action of the Governor or any successor office designated by the Governor as the clearinghouse for information from the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-577).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.11. Section 65040.11.

The “State Clearinghouse” shall submit such information acquired by it pursuant to the application of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-577) to an agency designated for that purpose by concurrent resolution of the Legislature.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.11.5. Section 65040.11.5.

(a) There is in state government, within the State Clearinghouse, the federal grant administrator who is an individual designated by the Governor to serve as the state’s primary point of contact for information on federal grants related to community, economic, and local development. (b) The federal grant administrator may to do any of the following: (1) Work with representatives from state and local government, nonprofit organizations, foundations, institutions of higher learning, and other interested parties on applying for and managing federal grants. (2) Identify employees within state government with expertise in federal grant management. (3) Support the establishment of a statewide network of individuals who serve as point of contact for federal grant opportunities, including, but not limited to, individuals in local governments, special districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and foundations. (4) Provide or facilitate the provision of in-person and online training to encourage and improve the ability to pursue and manage federal grants. (5) Develop and maintain information on the Office of Planning and Research’s Internet Web Site related to new federal grant opportunities, grant management best practices, and other resources to support the ability of state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to apply and manage federal grants. (c) On or before January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, the federal grant administrator shall prepare a summary of federal grant funding to the state that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following performance metrics: (1) Number of federal grants awarded to the state during the three years prior to the establishment of the federal grant administrator and during the report year. (2) Number of completed federal grant applications submitted by the state during the report year. (3) Total federal dollars received by the state through federal grants during the report year. (4) Total federal grant dollars expended by the state during the report year. (5) Total federal grant dollars received in the state by school districts and local governments during the report year. (6) Number of training sessions hosted by the federal grant administrator and attendance at those events during the report year. (7) Other relevant information regarding federal grant activities within the state during the report year, as determined by the federal grant administrator.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.12. Section 65040.12.

(a) The office shall be the coordinating agency in state government for environmental justice programs. (b) The director shall do all of the following: (1) Consult with all of the following: (A) The Secretary for Environmental Protection. (B) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency. (C) The Secretary of Transportation. (D) The Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing. (E) The Working Group on Environmental Justice established pursuant to Section 71113 of the Public Resources Code. (F) Any other appropriate state agencies and all other interested members of the public and private sectors in this state. (2) Coordinate the office’s efforts and share information regarding environmental justice programs with the Council on Environmental Quality, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and other federal agencies. (3) Review and evaluate any information from federal agencies that is obtained as a result of their respective regulatory activities under federal Executive Order 12898, and from the Working Group on Environmental Justice established pursuant to Section 71113 of the Public Resources Code. (c) When it adopts its next edition of the general plan guidelines pursuant to Section 65040.2, but in no case later than July 1, 2003, the office shall include guidelines for addressing environmental justice matters in city and county general plans. The office shall hold at least one public hearing before the release of any draft guidelines, and at least one public hearing after the release of the draft guidelines. The hearings may be held at the regular meetings of the Planning Advisory and Assistance Council. (d) The guidelines developed by the office pursuant to subdivision (c) shall recommend provisions for general plans to do all of the following: (1) Propose methods for planning for the equitable distribution of new public facilities and services that increase and enhance community quality of life throughout the community, given the fiscal and legal constraints that restrict the siting of these facilities. (2) Propose methods for providing for the location, if any, of industrial facilities and uses that, even with the best available technology, will contain or produce material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant hazard to human health and safety, in a manner that seeks to avoid overconcentrating these uses in proximity to schools or residential dwellings. (3) Propose methods for providing for the location of new schools and residential dwellings in a manner that seeks to avoid locating these uses in proximity to industrial facilities and uses that will contain or produce material that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant hazard to human health and safety. (4) Propose methods for promoting more livable communities by expanding opportunities for transit-oriented development so that residents minimize traffic and pollution impacts from traveling for purposes of work, shopping, schools, and recreation. (e) (1) For purposes of this section, “environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins, with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (2) “Environmental justice” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (A) The availability of a healthy environment for all people. (B) The deterrence, reduction, and elimination of pollution burdens for populations and communities experiencing the adverse effects of that pollution, so that the effects of the pollution are not disproportionately borne by those populations and communities. (C) Governmental entities engaging and providing technical assistance to populations and communities most impacted by pollution to promote their meaningful participation in all phases of the environmental and land use decisionmaking process. (D) At a minimum, the meaningful consideration of recommendations from populations and communities most impacted by pollution into environmental and land use decisions.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.14. Section 65040.14.

The office shall serve as the state’s liaison to the United States Department of Defense in order to facilitate coordination regarding issues that are of significant interest to the state and the department, particularly with regard to any proposed federal Base Realignment and Closure actions. In this role, the office shall do all of the following: (a) Coordinate with the department and other state agencies, state departments, local governments, and other private and public entities to ensure the sustainability of defense activities within the state. (b) Develop legislation that supports the relationship between the state and the department. (c) Work with federal defense agencies to address regulatory activities by state agencies that affect the sustainability of defense operations within the state. (d) Develop any necessary regional or stateside strategies necessary for the establishment and retention of the state’s military facilities and installations that are potentially impacted by any proposed federal Base Realignment and Closure actions.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.15. Section 65040.15.

On or before January 1, 2021, the Office of Planning and Research shall complete a study on the effectiveness of tax increment financing tools for increasing housing production, including a comparison of the relative advantages and disadvantages of infrastructure financing districts, enhanced infrastructure financing districts, affordable housing authorities, use of the Neighborhood Infill Finance and Transit Improvements Act, and use of the Second Neighborhood Infill Finance and Transit Improvements Act. The study shall also include an analysis of the impacts of extending the Second Neighborhood Infill Finance and Transit Improvements Act to areas around bus stops, including segregated bus rapid transit, and make recommendations to the Legislature.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.17. Section 65040.17.

(a) The California Complete Count - Census 2020 Office, under the Government Operations Agency, shall partner with local contracted educational agencies to make information described in subdivision (b) about the 2020 federal decennial census available to students and their parents or guardians at schools. (b) The information provided pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) The importance of the census. (2) The privacy protections and policies set forth by the United States Census Bureau. (3) Community-based resources available to assist with completing the federal census questionnaire. (4) How to access resources provided by the United States Census Bureau. (5) Any other information the California Complete Count - Census 2020 Office determines is necessary or convenient to encourage participation in the census.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.20. Section 65040.20.

The Office of Planning and Research, when it adopts its next edition of the general plan guidelines pursuant to Section 65040.2, shall include the provisions of, or a reference to, paragraph (3) of subdivision (g) of Section 65302, and any other materials related to fire hazards or fire safety it deems appropriate.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65040.21. Section 65040.21.

By July 1, 2020, the office shall, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and other fire and safety experts, update the guidance document entitled “Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan Technical Advice Series.” The guidance document shall include specific land use strategies to reduce fire risk to buildings, infrastructure, and communities. The office shall, on and after July 1, 2020, update the guidance document not less than once every eight years.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026