California Constitution Archives - Page 12 of 15

What Is Subject to Referendum?

January 3, 2020 6:14 amJanuary 3, 2020 6:17 am

Pursuant to Article II, Section 9 of the California Constitution, “the referendum is the power of the electors to approve or reject statutes or parts of statutes except urgency statutes, statutes calling elections, and statutes providing for tax levies or...

Legislative Code of Ethics

December 25, 2019 7:50 amDecember 25, 2019 7:51 am

In California’s Constitution, Article IV dealing with the Legislature, there are several sections applicable to ethical conduct. These provisions are found in Sections 4 and 5 of the state constitution. Prohibition on Certain Earned Income – Section 4 Section Four...

Impeachment by the California Legislature

December 11, 2019 6:15 amDecember 11, 2019 6:17 am

California’s Government Code Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 7, Article 2 provides for impeachment by the California Legislature. Government Code Section 3020 provides that state officers elected on a statewide basis, members of the State Board of Equalization, and judges...

Separation of Powers Doctrine in California

November 22, 2019 8:18 amNovember 22, 2019 8:21 am

Separation of powers – what is it and what does it mean? Essentially, the powers of government are provided to separate branches of government to operate. These powers are set forth in the California Constitution and are granted to the...

California Legislature’s Organization and Structure

November 20, 2019 7:41 amNovember 20, 2019 7:44 am

The organization and structure of the California Legislature is established by the California Constitution, specifically in Article IV. Half a dozen sections of Article 4 relate to the organization and structure of the Legislature. Section 1 provides specifically that “The...

A Bill’s ‘Keys’ – What Are They?

November 15, 2019 6:03 amNovember 15, 2019 6:21 am

Each bill in the California Legislature contains certain features such as an enacting clause, a title, the author’s name, a bill number, and the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, among other provisions. At the end of the Legislative Counsel’s Digest is a...

Effective Versus Operative Dates of Statutes

November 13, 2019 6:04 amNovember 12, 2019 7:06 am

There is often confusion regarding effective versus operative dates. Specifically, Capitol observers often inquire when a statute actually “takes effect.” When it takes effect can be different than when the statute is operative. January 1 following the year a bill...