Chris Micheli – Page 131 – California Globe

Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Oversight

March 23, 2024 5:24 amMarch 23, 2024 5:24 am

Why is legislative oversight necessary? Fundamentally, oversight by the Legislature is intended to ensure government accountability and make certain that tax dollars are spent properly and efficiently by the executive branch of state government. Has the California Legislature developed any...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

New Bill Would Allow Prop. 47 to Be Amended by Majority Legislative Vote

March 22, 2024 3:00 pmMarch 22, 2024 1:40 pm

Assembly Bill 1787 aims to partially address the shoplifting problem in California. As many are aware, Proposition 47, the ballot measure approved by statewide voters in 2014, increased the threshold for shoplifting to remain a misdemeanor from $450 to $950....

Can California Budget Trailer Bills Create New Offices?

March 22, 2024 7:37 amMarch 22, 2024 7:37 am

A colleague raised an interesting question recently – can a budget trailer bill create a new executive branch state department or office? The reason that this is an intriguing question is because urgency statutes cannot “create or abolish any office.”...

Frequently Asked Questions about Permissible Closed Sessions of the Legislature

March 22, 2024 2:30 amMarch 22, 2024 2:31 am

Does the state Constitution provide when the California Legislature can meet in closed session? Yes, it does so in Article IV, Section 7(c). What does the California Constitution provide regarding closed session of the Legislature? There are specified instances, despite...

What Are the New Exemptions in the Fast Food Council Law?

March 21, 2024 2:00 pmMarch 21, 2024 2:01 pm

Assembly Bill 610 is pending on Governor Newsom’s desk. The bill would exempt several types of restaurants from last year’s landmark bill creating a Fast Food Council and increasing the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour...

Frequently Asked Questions about a Special Order of Business

March 21, 2024 2:45 amMarch 21, 2024 2:46 am

What is a special order of business? The Office of Legislative Counsel defines “special order of business” as when, occasionally, a bill is of such importance that advanced notice is given about when it will be considered in the full...

Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Rule 10.5 and California Fiscal Bills

March 20, 2024 5:45 amMarch 20, 2024 5:46 am

What does Joint Rule 10.5 of the California Legislature’s Joint Rules provide? JR 10.5 specifies guidance to the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) when determining whether a bill should be “keyed” as a fiscal bill. The “keying” of a bill...