A Unique Aspect of California Legislative Drafting: The Digest

A unique, and mandatory aspect of California legislative drafting is the requirement that every bill, resolution, and constitutional amendment feature a Legislative Counsel’s Digest prominently printed on its first page, right before the actual text of the measure.

The Legislative Counsel’s Digest is a mandatory component part of any measure. Under California Joint Rule 8.5, no bill can be introduced or printed unless it is accompanied by this official summary prepared by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC).

The Digest has a structured format because it always follows a strict layout, starting with a summary of existing law (beginning with “Existing law provides…”) followed by an explanation of the proposed changes (beginning with “This bill would…”). In concludes with the Digest Key, which are standardized administrative and fiscal keys indicating the required vote threshold, whether it contains an appropriation, triggers a fiscal committee review, or imposes a state-mandated local program.