Chris Micheli – Page 187 – California Globe

Frequently Asked Questions about the Legislature in the Rulemaking Process

March 26, 2024 2:30 amMarch 26, 2024 2:31 am

How many rulemaking bodies are in California state government? There are over 200 agencies, departments, boards, and commissions that can make public policy via their authority to adopt regulations, often referred to as their rule-making authority. Can the California Legislature...

Frequently Asked Questions about Governors Allowing Bills to Become Law Without Signature

March 25, 2024 2:30 amMarch 25, 2024 2:31 am

What can California’s Governor do with bills that reach his or her Desk? The Governor has three options when a bill reaches the Governor’s Desk: sign the bill (and it becomes law), veto the bill (and the bill does not...

Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Committees Meeting Jointly

March 24, 2024 2:30 amMarch 24, 2024 2:31 am

Do committees of the California Legislature meet jointly? Yes, several times per year, Assembly and Senate committees will hold a “joint hearing.” Even though there are 32 Assembly standing committees and 22 Senate standing committees, many have the same or...

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Statutory Role in International Relations

March 23, 2024 12:00 pmMarch 23, 2024 12:01 pm

Do California statutes contemplate an international relations role for the state? Yes, in California’s Government Code, there is Title 20, which is titled, “International Relations,” and it contains Sections 99500 through 99524. What is covered by Title 20 on International...

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.”...