§ 1235.200.State

This definition answers a question that would otherwise be ambiguous: is the University of California, with its unusual constitutional status as a public trust governed by the Regents, "the state" or something separate? Section 1235.200 answers directly -- "state" means the State of California and includes the Regents of the University of California.

That inclusion matters most through § 1235.150's definition of "local public entity" as any public entity other than the state. By folding the Regents into "state," this section makes sure the Regents are treated the same way state government generally is treated throughout this title, rather than as a local public entity.