RCRC and GSFA (Golden State Finance Authority) have recently initiated a program to assist member counties in filing “test claims” with the Commission on State Mandates as part of an overall strategy to obtain reimbursements for county costs associated with state-imposed mandates.
A test claim refers to a process under the Commission on State Mandates (CSM) that allows local governments (cities, counties, school districts, etc.) to seek reimbursement from the state when they believe a state law, executive order, or regulation has created a new program or higher level of service that creates costs mandated by the state for which the local agency or school district is not otherwise reimbursed. The test claim is the legal and factual basis to determine whether the state must reimburse the local entity for those costs.
To implement the program, GSFA has contracted with a consultant to assist member counties in filing three test claims for reimbursement. The first test claim under this program (titled “Race-Blind Charging,” seeking reimbursement for implementation of Assembly Bill 2778 of 2022) was filed on June 10, 2025, and was organized in partnership with a coalition of agencies including the County of Sutter, the City of Sacramento, and the County of Santa Clara.
The “Race-Blind Charging” test claim is currently available for public review until August 25, 2025, with a tentative hearing date scheduled for March 27, 2026. See the filing here. RCRC and GSFA anticipate partnering with member counties to file additional test claims in the coming months.
For additional information, please contact RCRC General Counsel, Arthur Wylene.