Distinguishing Among Legislative Committees

In the California Legislature, there are a number of different types of committees in the two houses. Not all committees are alike. There are five types: standing; subcommittees of standing committees; select; special; and, joint.

We are most familiar with the Standing Committees, which serve as the forum for public input on pending legislation. Measures are heard in standing committees which meet on a regular basis throughout the legislative year. All of the standing committees are policy committees, except the two fiscal committees, which are the Appropriations and Budget Committees. Joint Committees have memberships from both houses and consider issues of joint concern.

Created pursuant to Assembly and Senate Rules, the standing committees consider legislation, the state budget, and internal legislative matters, as determined by their jurisdictions. Jurisdictions are set by the Assembly and Senate Rules Committees. The Senate committees’ jurisdictions are set forth in the Senate Rules. The Assembly committees’ jurisdictions are set forth in a lengthy document published by the Assembly Rules Committee. Standing Committees must meet specific standards for notice, analyses, quorums, and voting.

Both the Assembly and the Senate have Select Committees, which are technically subcommittees of each house’s General Research Committee.

Standing Committees

The Assembly has 33 standing committees, while the Senate has 22 standing committees.

Subcommittees of Standing Committees

The Assembly Budget Committee has 6 subcommittees. The Senate Budget Committee has 5 subcommittees and the Senate Transportation Committee has 1 subcommittee.

Select Committees

The Assembly has 51 select committees, while the Senate has 14 select committees.

Special Committees

The Assembly has 1 special committee, while the Senate has 1 special committee (the Senate simply lists its Legislative Ethics Committee separately, so I have chosen to list it under this hearing)

Joint Committees

There are 8 joint committees, all of which have continuous existence, and are described in Joint Rules 36.5 and 36.7. One joint committee is set forth in the Joint Rules; 3 joint committees were created by Concurrent Resolution; and, 4 joint committees are set forth in statute.