bill drafting Archives - California Globe

Drafting a Bill that Calls an Election

December 6, 2022 6:22 amDecember 6, 2022 6:23 am

The Legislature can enact a statute that calls an election by specifying a date on which that election will be held and what subject will be on that election’s ballot. What does a bill that calls an election look like?...

Judges Should Better Appreciate the Legislative Process and Bill Drafting Principles

October 30, 2022 3:30 pmOctober 30, 2022 2:54 pm

When drafting and amending legislation, proponents (and opponents) always keep in mind the statutory analysis principles used by the judicial branch of government when interpreting statutes. And, of course, the attorneys in California’s Office of Legislative Counsel do as well...

Some Additional Bill Drafting Rules in California

October 16, 2022 8:40 amOctober 16, 2022 8:46 am

When drafting bills in the California Legislature, there are many constitutional, statutory, and rules-based provisions to consider, depending on the type of bill that is being drafted. And, there are certainly some very narrow rules to be aware of when...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

What Bill Drafting Guidance Do We Have from the California Legislature’s Joint Rules?

September 26, 2022 7:18 pmSeptember 27, 2022 10:36 am

When drafting legislation in California, there are several sources of guidance in drafting bills and other forms of legislation (resolutions and constitutional amendments). The third source is the Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate. What legislation drafting guidance is...

What Bill Drafting Guidance Do We Have from the California Government Code?

September 25, 2022 2:49 pmSeptember 25, 2022 2:51 pm

When drafting legislation in California, there are several sources of guidance in drafting bills and other forms of legislation (resolutions and constitutional amendments). The second source is the California Government Code. What legislation drafting guidance is contained in the state...

How Complicated Can Bill Drafting Become?

September 10, 2022 7:28 amSeptember 10, 2022 7:32 am

In reviewing hundreds of the bills that have reached Governor Newsom’s Desk during the 2022 Legislative Session, several measures have complicated and lengthy provisions. One of the difficult areas of drafting amendments includes “double jointing amendments.” These amendments to a...

Is Plagiarism Allowed in Bill Drafting?

April 15, 2022 8:13 amApril 15, 2022 8:16 am

Not only is plagiarism allowed in bill drafting, but also it is strongly required. Why? For the simple reason that we want consistency in the drafting of statutes. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “plagiarism” is defined as “the practice of...