5892.3. (Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 790, Sec. 98.)

(a) There is hereby created a Behavioral Health Services Act Revenue Stability Workgroup to assess year-over-year fluctuations in tax revenues generated by the Behavioral Health Services Act, in recognition of the need for a reliable strategy for short- and long-term fiscal stability, commencing no later than June 30, 2024.

(b) The workgroup shall develop and recommend solutions to reduce Behavioral Health Services Act revenue volatility and to propose appropriate prudent reserve levels to support the sustainability of county programs and services.

(c) (1) The California Health and Human Services Agency and the State Department of Health Care Services shall jointly convene and lead the workgroup.

(2) Members of the workgroup shall serve without compensation. Members shall include representatives from the following entities:

(A) Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

(B) Legislative Analyst’s Office.

(C) County Behavioral Health Director’s Association of California.

(D) California State Association of Counties, including both urban and rural county representatives.

(3) The California Department of Finance may consult with the workgroup, as needed, to provide technical assistance.

(e) On or before June 30, 2025, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the State Department of Health Care Services shall submit a report that includes its recommendations specified in subdivision (b) to the Legislature and the Governor’s Office.

(f) The workgroup may meet as often as necessary, as determined by the members of the workgroup, until the workgroup is disbanded upon submission of the report specified in subdivision (b).

(g) Prudent reserve requirements specified in this subdivision may be changed, and requirements to mitigate Behavioral Health Services Act revenue volatility and improve fiscal stability may be developed, based upon recommendations made by the Behavioral Health Services Act Revenue Stability Workgroup pursuant to Section 5892.3.

(h) The California Health and Human Services Agency and the State Department of Health Care Services may jointly reconvene the workgroup, if at any point the recommended revenue volatility strategy and prudent reserve requirements no longer adequately support the sustainability of county programs and services given the year-over-year fluctuations in tax revenues generated by the Behavioral Health Services Act.