Maximum Number of Bills in the California Legislature

Under prior rules of the Senate and Assembly in the California Legislature, during their 2-year Sessions, Assembly Members could introduce a maximum of 4,000 bills (50 bills x 80 members) and Senators could introduce a maximum of 1,600 bills (40 bills x 40 members) for a total of 5,600 bills between the two houses.

Of course, hundreds of resolutions and constitutional amendments could also be introduced. And, there were over 100 bills in both houses authored by committees, particularly the budget committees. While legislators have not gotten close to the 5,600 bills cap in the past decade, this year’s reduction in total bill introductions will result in a major reduction.

For the current 2025-26 California Legislative Session, Assembly Members can introduce a maximum of 2,800 bills (35 bills x 80 members) and Senators can introduce a maximum of 1,400 bills (35 bills x 40 members) for a total of 4,200 bills. This figure represents a reduction of 1,400 possible bills in comparison to prior sessions, which is a 25% reduction in the maximum number of bills that can now be introduced in the Legislature.

And, based upon historical data from the past decade, this Session’s bill introduction limits would have eliminated anywhere from 200 to 650 bills per session over the past five 2-year Sessions.