California Research Bureau

The California Research Bureau (CRB) provides nonpartisan research services to the Governor and his staff, to both houses of the legislature, and to other state elected officials. These services include preparation of reports and memoranda on current policy issues, which might cover topics such as the history of the issue, experiences and proposals in other states, case studies and examples, data analysis, and development of legislative proposals. This work might be confidential to the requestor, or might result in a published report. CRB public reports are available at http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/CRBReports.html.

The California Research Bureau is also involved in special projects and events with partners in the Legislature and various State agencies. To view these projects CRB Projects and Events contains more information.

The Bureau regularly publishes an electronic notification service of new studies and reports about matters of current legislative or administration interest. This is an excellent way for policy professionals to stay up-to-date about research in their fields. The Studies in the News is accessible at http://www.library.ca.gov/sitn/crb/. Electronic links are provided to most entries.

The Bureau also provides specialized library services to its clients. It has an office in room 5210 in the Capitol staffed by librarians with considerable expertise in the literature concerning current California policy issues. They share a commitment to providing quick, thorough, and discrete services. The librarians have ready access to an extensive collection of reports, studies, and other materials concerning current and historical policy issues, as well as many electronic databases. In addition, the Bureau convenes regular seminars and presentations by academic and think tank scholars doing work related to current policy issues.

State government clients may call (916) 319-2691 or email crb@library.ca.gov to request research work or librarian assistance, or to be included in the Bureau's electronic studies notification services or seminar distribution lists.

Latest from the California Research Bureau:

City-Attorney-Sponsored Unlawful Detainer in California Part I: Mandated Information 2013 Report to the California Legislature

This report was produced in response to AB 530 (Krekorian, Ch. 244, Stats. 2009-2010), requiring CRB to evaluate the pilot Unlawful Detainer program. The full report is now available. Full report (PDF)

California's Women Veterans Survey 2011 Results Released

The California Research Bureau, at the request of California Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Commission on the Status of Women, surveyed California women veterans in 2011 to assess the needs and challenges of women who have served in the military. The full report and Briefly Stated summary are now available. California's Women Veterans: Responses to the 2011 Survey. Full report (PDF); Briefly Stated (PDF)