Why Do California Legislators Speak ‘On Condition of the File?’

On occasion, you may hear a legislator on the Floor of the State Senate or State Assembly rise and seek permission to “speak on condition of the File.” What does this mean and why is it used?

The reference to the “File” is referring to either the Assembly Daily File or the Senate Daily File, which contains the agenda for the day’s legislative activities. According to the Office of Legislative Counsel, “condition of the File” means that, when permitted by the Assembly Speaker or the Senate President pro Tempore, a Member of that body may make a brief statement at the close of a Floor session to argue why it may be inadvisable for the Assembly or Senate to adjourn.

In the Assembly, this statement on condition of the File is limited to two minutes, while the Senate has no time limit.