California State Assembly in Session. (Photo: Kevin Sanders for California Globe)
Chart of Legislative Rules
Provides the seven sources of rules used by the California Constitution
By Chris Micheli, June 29, 2026 2:30 am
The following chart provides the seven sources of rules used by the California Constitution:
| Source | Explanation |
| Constitution | Article IV, Sections 1 – 28 |
| Government Code | Division 2, Sections 8902 – 10606 |
| Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly | Rules 1 – 65 |
| Senate Rules | Rules 1 – 56 |
| Assembly Rules | Rules 1 – 122 |
| Mason’s Manual | In all cases not provided for by the California Constitution, by the Assembly Rules, by the Senate Rules, by the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly, or by statute, the authority is the latest edition of Mason’s Manual. |
| Custom and Practice | The unwritten traditions, precedents, and informal norms that govern how the legislature operates alongside its formal written rules. |
Latest posts by Chris Micheli (see all)
- Rules of Probate Practice - July 20, 2026
- Some Notes on Bills Declaring Existing Law - July 19, 2026
- Chart of Legislative Branch Support Entities - July 19, 2026




