California Legislature Archives - Page 17 of 50

Why Do Legislators “Move a Call”?

September 15, 2022 6:05 pmSeptember 15, 2022 6:06 pm

In committees and on the Floors of the California Legislature, after voting has occurred, but before the final vote is announced, the committee chair or presiding officer of a floor may be heard to say, “Assembly Member __ moves a...

Why Do California Legislators Speak ‘On Condition of the File?’

September 14, 2022 3:30 pmSeptember 14, 2022 2:59 pm

On occasion, you may hear a legislator on the Floor of the State Senate or State Assembly rise and seek permission to “speak on condition of the File.” What does this mean and why is it used? The reference to...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

What Is a Conflict in California Legislation?

September 13, 2022 3:21 pmSeptember 13, 2022 8:03 pm

On occasion, a legislator in the Assembly or Senate will receive a letter from the Office of Legislative Counsel that there is a “conflict” with their bill. What does this mean? The Office of Legislative Counsel defines this “conflict” as...

Why Does the California Legislature Conduct Its Work in Certain Ways?

September 13, 2022 6:22 amSeptember 13, 2022 8:04 pm

Why do the State Assembly and State Senate in the California Legislature conduct their activities in certain ways? I am sure some readers have asked that question at least once! Or so I tell myself. Here are some examples of...

Are Certain Special Statute Statements Sufficient?

September 12, 2022 6:17 amSeptember 12, 2022 6:23 am

In the California Legislature, there are “special statute” bills that are used when legislators believe a bill’s provisions are unique and should apply in only a specified circumstance or to a specified entity or jurisdiction. Not any bill can be...

Why Do California Bills Have Certain Provisions?

September 11, 2022 3:09 pmSeptember 11, 2022 3:11 pm

Why do bills in the California Legislature contain certain provisions? I am sure some readers have asked that question at least once! Or so I tell myself. Here are some examples of what I mean with an explanation: Why does...

What Is a Substantive Change in the Law?

September 11, 2022 8:31 amSeptember 11, 2022 8:53 am

Whether a bill proposes to make a substantive or nonsubstantive change in law has several implications. For example, with an introduced bill, a nonsubstantive bill is referred to as a “spot bill” and cannot be referred to a policy committee...