Chris Micheli – Page 227 – California Globe

The Astounding Workload of the California Legislature’s Committees

September 3, 2022 8:04 amSeptember 3, 2022 8:07 am

The California Legislature has a combined 55 standing committees, with 33 in the Assembly and 22 in the Senate. There were 4,476 bills introduced during the 2021-22 Legislative Session. Those standing committees, and their hardworking consultants (along with their minority...

Legislative Intent and Future Budget Appropriations

August 31, 2022 7:22 amAugust 31, 2022 7:25 am

In recent years, California state government has been working on a multi-year budget cycle. This means both the Governor and Legislature have been adopting budgets that attempt to make appropriations for more than the current budget year. Is that possible,...

Addressing Some Other End-of-Session Queries

August 30, 2022 11:28 amAugust 30, 2022 11:39 am

With the final days of Session upon us, there is some confusion about several procedural items that regularly occur on the Floors of the California Legislature. These items include “reconsideration” of bills, as well as placing measures “on call.” How...

Who Holds Greater Lawmaking Power: The Legislature or the People?

August 30, 2022 6:28 amAugust 30, 2022 6:33 am

Who holds more lawmaking power in California? Do elected members of the Legislature or the People of the state have greater lawmaking power? California’s Constitution provides the three branches of government, as well as the rights of direct democracy. Article...

Does a Legislative Resolution Prevail Over a Statute?

August 29, 2022 5:10 pmAugust 29, 2022 5:12 pm

The answer is obviously “no.” Or is it? According to the Office of Legislative Counsel, a statute is defined to be an enacted bill, which is chaptered by the Secretary of State. On the other hand, a resolution is used...

Do California’s Legislative Rules Have Constitutional Protection?

August 29, 2022 6:28 amAugust 29, 2022 6:34 am

Some readers have asked whether the Assembly Rules, Senate Rules, and Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate have equal standing as constitutional provisions because those rules flow from a specific grant of authority. Specifically, Article IV, Section 7(a) provides:...

California Energy Infrastructure Safety

August 28, 2022 5:30 pmAugust 28, 2022 4:59 pm

California has numerous formal acts in statute. Government Code Title 2, Division 3, Part 7.3 provides the California Energy Infrastructure Safety Act, which is contained in Sections 15470 to 15476. Part 7.3 was added in 2019 by Chapter 81. Section...