Chris Micheli – Page 212 – California Globe

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.”...

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...