The California Legislature can meet in regular, special or joint sessions. A “session” is the designated period of time in which the Legislature meets. A “joint” session, which can occur in a regular or special session, is one in which...
The Constitution of the State of California, originally adopted in 1849, sets forth the powers, duties and functions of California state government. It is one of the longest constitutions in the world at over 100 pages in length, which is...
Once an enrolled bill reaches the Governor’s Desk for final action, “enrolled bill reports” are produced for the Governor and his senior staff to consider the merits of a bill pending on his or her Desk. An “enrolled bill” is...
If a recall of the Governor is initiated, the recall duties must be performed by the Lt. Gov. California’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) has a largely ceremonial role in this state. He or she runs separately (i.e., the Lt. Governor...
I have occasionally been asked whether there is any recourse when the Legislature and Governor enact a law that violates the state and/or federal constitutions. Obviously, the first action would be to challenge the enacted bill in either a state...
Members of the California judiciary are selected in one of two ways. The first is for trial judges, those of the Superior Courts, and the second is for appellate court justices. Trial judges are elected by voters at an election...
The executive branch of California’s state government is set forth in Article V of the state constitution and is one of the three branches of state government, just like at the federal level. The major distinction is that the state...