legislation Archives - Page 2 of 16

Active v. Passive Voice in Legislation

October 13, 2022 3:26 pmOctober 13, 2022 3:33 pm

In California, bill drafters are instructed to use the active voice, rather than the passive voice. This is a change in the historical manner of drafting that previously included lots of passive voice language in state statutes. As a result,...

The Return of Carryover Bills

October 13, 2022 6:29 amOctober 13, 2022 6:36 am

Commonly referred to as “2-year bills,” a “carryover bill” is one that is introduced during the first year (the odd-numbered year) of the 2-year California Legislative Session that can be carried over into the second year (the even-numbered year). Article...

A Bill Can Be ‘Held’ by a Legislative Committee in Several Ways

October 11, 2022 4:30 pmOctober 11, 2022 4:34 pm

In the California Legislature, a bill can be “held” in three distinct ways, which seems rather odd because it would appear that the end result is the same – the bill is not moving forward from the policy or fiscal...

California State Assembly nearly empty except for a few folks in the balcony.

What Are the Two Types of Author’s Amendments?

October 11, 2022 6:13 amOctober 11, 2022 6:19 am

A bill author can amend his or her bill in two different instances. These are called “author’s amendments” and they can occur before formal committee or floor action, or during those times. The first type of author’s amendment occurs before...

Deferral Clauses in California Legislation

October 9, 2022 8:19 amOctober 9, 2022 8:30 am

What is a “deferral clause”? Basically, a deferral clause is used when one bill “defers” to another bill concerning which provisions will take effect. The following is an example from a recent bill: Any section of any act enacted by...

Are Legislative Findings in Lottery Act Bills Sufficient?

October 8, 2022 11:05 amOctober 8, 2022 11:09 am

In reviewing recently-passed legislation that proposes amendments to the California State Lottery Act, as enacted by the voters by Prop. 37 in 1984, the same legislative finding and declaration is made in each bill. It is a simplistic statement that...

What Are the Two Different Sections and Amendments Contained in Bills?

October 7, 2022 3:15 pmOctober 7, 2022 2:55 pm

Are there really two different types of sections contained in a bill? And are there actually two different types of amendments contained in bills? Yes. Sections Bills contain two different types of “sections” – bill sections and code sections. So,...