Chris Micheli – Page 292 – California Globe

Why Do Legislators “Move a Call”?

September 15, 2022 6:05 pmSeptember 15, 2022 6:06 pm

In committees and on the Floors of the California Legislature, after voting has occurred, but before the final vote is announced, the committee chair or presiding officer of a floor may be heard to say, “Assembly Member __ moves a...

How Can a Higher Vote Threshold Be Imposed on Bills in the California Legislature?

September 15, 2022 5:05 pmSeptember 15, 2022 5:08 pm

The California Constitution, in Article IV, Section 8(b)(3), clearly states the following: “No bill may be passed unless, by rollcall vote entered in the journal, a majority of the membership of each house concurs.” As a result, in the state...

Why Do California Legislators Speak ‘On Condition of the File?’

September 14, 2022 3:30 pmSeptember 14, 2022 2:59 pm

On occasion, you may hear a legislator on the Floor of the State Senate or State Assembly rise and seek permission to “speak on condition of the File.” What does this mean and why is it used? The reference to...

Why Is the Phrase ‘The Desk Is Clear’ Used in the California State Senate?

September 14, 2022 6:52 amSeptember 14, 2022 6:53 am

Observers of the California State Senate will hear at the end of the day’s Session the following statement from the Presiding Officer: “Senator Atkins, the Desk is clear.” What does that mean and why is it used? According to the...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

What Is a Conflict in California Legislation?

September 13, 2022 3:21 pmSeptember 13, 2022 8:03 pm

On occasion, a legislator in the Assembly or Senate will receive a letter from the Office of Legislative Counsel that there is a “conflict” with their bill. What does this mean? The Office of Legislative Counsel defines this “conflict” as...

Why Does the California Legislature Conduct Its Work in Certain Ways?

September 13, 2022 6:22 amSeptember 13, 2022 8:04 pm

Why do the State Assembly and State Senate in the California Legislature conduct their activities in certain ways? I am sure some readers have asked that question at least once! Or so I tell myself. Here are some examples of...

Examples of Common Provisions Found in California Bills

September 12, 2022 3:17 pmSeptember 12, 2022 2:54 pm

There are a number of common provisions to California legislation that can be found, and these provisions should be familiar to those reading, analyzing, or drafting bills in the Legislature. The following features examples of some of the common provisions...