Author: Chris Micheli
Chris Micheli is an attorney and lobbyist with Snodgrass & Micheli, LLC, as well as an Adjunct Professor at McGeorge School of Law.
A Brief Look at the Commission on Uniform State Laws
The Uniform Law Commission (ULC, also called the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws – NCCUSL) is a non-profit, unincorporated association that was established in 1892 and which is charged with providing states with well-researched and drafted legislation...
Legislative Statutes and Cases Interpreting Them
The California Government Code provides for aspects of the Legislature and the lawmaking process in this case. There have been many court decisions over the past one hundred years interpreting key provisions of the Government Code. The following cases highlight...
Direct Democracy Statutes and Cases Interpreting Them
The California Elections Code provides for aspects of direct democracy in this state. There have been many court decisions interpreting key provisions of the Elections Code. The following cases highlight some of the main decisions interpreting these statutory provisions. Initiatives...
Tracking and Analyzing California Legislation and Regulations
An important role for any lobbyist is to track and analyze pending legislation and regulations. Tracking and monitoring does not just mean new bills and regulations; it also means all bill amendments, budget actions, gubernatorial actions, and other executive branch...
Is There Liability for Enacting Unconstitutional Laws?
I have occasionally been asked whether there is any recourse when the Legislature and Governor enact a law that violates the state and/or federal constitutions. Obviously, the first action would be to challenge the enacted bill in either a state...
Choosing Judges in California
Members of the California judiciary are selected in one of two ways. The first is for trial judges, those of the Superior Courts, and the second is for appellate court justices. Trial judges are elected by voters at an election...