California Legislature Archives - Page 19 of 50

Legislative Intent and Future Budget Appropriations

August 31, 2022 7:22 amAugust 31, 2022 7:25 am

In recent years, California state government has been working on a multi-year budget cycle. This means both the Governor and Legislature have been adopting budgets that attempt to make appropriations for more than the current budget year. Is that possible,...

Addressing Some Other End-of-Session Queries

August 30, 2022 11:28 amAugust 30, 2022 11:39 am

With the final days of Session upon us, there is some confusion about several procedural items that regularly occur on the Floors of the California Legislature. These items include “reconsideration” of bills, as well as placing measures “on call.” How...

Does a Legislative Resolution Prevail Over a Statute?

August 29, 2022 5:10 pmAugust 29, 2022 5:12 pm

The answer is obviously “no.” Or is it? According to the Office of Legislative Counsel, a statute is defined to be an enacted bill, which is chaptered by the Secretary of State. On the other hand, a resolution is used...

Do California’s Legislative Rules Have Constitutional Protection?

August 29, 2022 6:28 amAugust 29, 2022 6:34 am

Some readers have asked whether the Assembly Rules, Senate Rules, and Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate have equal standing as constitutional provisions because those rules flow from a specific grant of authority. Specifically, Article IV, Section 7(a) provides:...

Can the Public Be Excluded from Legislative Committee Hearings or Floor Sessions?

August 28, 2022 8:34 amAugust 29, 2022 6:27 am

As the pandemic recedes, there continue to be limitations on the public’s ability to access some of the committee hearings and floor sessions of the California Legislature. Are these limits on public participation permissible? Article IV, Section 7(c) sets forth...

Highlights as the 2022 California Legislative Session Winds Down

August 27, 2022 7:49 amAugust 27, 2022 7:53 am

The California Legislature is scheduled to adjourn its 2022 Legislative Session likely around midnight on Wednesday, August 31. The following is a quick look at some of the highlights as the Session winds down next week: How Many Measures Are...

What Are the Requirements for Elections to the California Legislature?

August 25, 2022 2:30 pmAugust 25, 2022 2:37 pm

Article IV, Section 2 of the California Constitution provides the main requirements for California legislative elections. As most are aware, the 80 members of the Assembly are elected to 2-year terms, while the 40 members of the Senate are elected...