Government Code § 17576
ARTICLE 2. Specific Costs Mandated by the State
Whenever the Legislative Counsel determines that a bill will mandate a new program or higher level of service pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution, the Department of Finance shall prepare an estimate of the amount of reimbursement which will be required. This estimate shall be prepared for the respective committees of each house of the Legislature which consider taxation measures and appropriation measures and shall be prepared prior to any hearing on the bill by any such committee.