For bills on the Suspense File, what are the three main actions taken by the Appropriations Committees? Historically, there were three actions that the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees took on measures pending on their respective Suspense Files: Do Pass;...
In reviewing recent legislation that proposes amendments to California’s Emergency Ambulance Employee Safety and Preparedness Act, as enacted by the voters by Proposition 11 in November 2018, the same legislative finding and declaration is made in a bill. It is...
What is a “legislative privilege”? This is a legal doctrine that creates a privilege against giving evidence on official legislative acts. What is “legislative immunity”? Under a longstanding legal doctrine, legislators are generally immune from civil liability for their official...
With the continuing rise in property theft and retail crime in this state, we are likely to see a number of bills introduced in the 2024 California Legislative Session that propose to amend Proposition 47, which was adopted by the...
What is the “revolving door”? When legislative or executive branch officials leave government service, it is often referred to as the “revolving door” between the public and private sectors. Are elected members of the legislative branch subject to the “revolving...
What is the general rule for the application of a newly added or amended statute? In most instances, legislation applies prospectively, meaning after the law has been enacted and takes effect. What does a retroactive bill or retroactive statutory language...
What is “per diem”? It is a Latin term meaning “for the day” and is used to describe the payment of expenses for elected and appointed officials. What is the authority for paying legislators’ expenses? Pursuant to Section 4(b) of...