How Many Bills Historically Get to the Governor’s Desk?

Over the past four decades, thousands of bills have reached the Governor’s Desk after having been passed by the California Legislature. The vast majority of those measures get signed into law, with a small percentage being vetoed.

The lowest veto rate was just over 1% by Governor Jerry Brown (in his first time in office), and the highest was 35% by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The average veto rate over the past four decades is 17.4%.

Looking back at the two terms of Governor Gavin Newsom’s actions, as well as the prior five governors, the following are general statistics:

• During Governor Newsom’s 8 years in office, between 425 – 1,200 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 8% – 16.5% of them. (Note the low number was due to the substantial reduction in bills considered in the pandemic-shortened 2020 Session.)

• During Governor Brown’s (second) 8 years in office, between 870 – 1,200 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 10% – 15% of them.

• During Governor Schwarzenegger’s 7 years in office, between 890 – 1,265 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 22% – 35% of them.

• During Governor Davis’ 5 years in office, between 965 – 1,455 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 6% – 25% of them.

• During Governor Wilson’s 8 years in office, between 1,075 – 1,700 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 8% – 24% of them.

• During Governor Deukmejian’s 8 years in office, between 1,455 – 2,140 bills were sent to him annually, and he vetoed between 9.5% – 20% of them.