In 2022, the California Department of Industrial Relations hired the Rand Corporation to estimate the future liability of California’s Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), a fund that provides benefits to the severely disabled. Rand published the results of its study in 2024, which led California lawmakers to pass AB 1329, a bill to significantly restrict benefits from the fund. The bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Our independent investigation uncovers gross misrepresentation in RAND’s estimate of California’s SIBTF liability. Our analysis concluded that the Rand study overstated liability figures by 632% or $6.75 Billion. This overstatement nearly influenced statewide policy decisions and highlights the critical need for greater accountability in all publicly funded research.