The commission may prepare an independent evaluation of the department‘s budget regarding the adequacy of funding levels and the relative needs of program categories as defined in § 167 of the Streets and Highways Code and submit its recommendations to the Legislature not later than April 1 of each year. The report shall reflect the commission’s judgment regarding the overall funding levels for each program category and shall not duplicate the item-by-item analysis conducted by the Legislative Analyst.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 622, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)