The judicial branch of state government in California engages in policy making through the Judicial Council. The Council makes policy for the courts in this state, including the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and Superior Courts. Article VI of the...
California’s judiciary branch of government is supported by several important entities that assist the judicial branch in operating efficiently. Commission on Judicial Appointments (CJA) This commission is charged with reviewing gubernatorial appointments to the appellate courts in this state. CJA...
California’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which is patterned after the federal APA, sets forth the rules by which the state’s executive branch agencies must adopt regulations. The twin goals of the APA are to ensure, for purposes of a proposed...
The Elections Code, absent an amendment, requires the Legislature to place measures on the statewide ballot by this Thursday, June 25. California’s Legislative Counsel defines a constitutional amendment as “a resolution proposing a change to the California Constitution. It...
What business is there to conduct in the California State Capitol during this time of pandemic? The answer is “only committee hearings.” Despite some staff and most legislators working in the Capitol building, at least to participate in legislative hearings,...
As part of the 2020-21 California State budget, where the state’s fiscal year begins July 1, the Legislature passed and Governor Newsom is expected to sign AB 85 (Committee on Budget), which makes numerous tax law changes, including suspension of...
Does California have to adopt a “balanced budget”? The short answer is yes. But there are several interesting aspects to this requirement. Existing provisions of the California Constitution were interpreted to require a balanced budget. For example, Article IV, Section...