The Shortest Bill to Reach Gov. Newsom’s Desk this Year

Obviously, a bill that makes a one-or two-word change in the law could be significant. For example, a bill that changes a discretionary “may” to a mandatory “shall” could have important implications in an area of law, even though the bill would represent a one-word change in the law.

In reviewing bills that are pending on Governor Newsom’s Desk for final action before the September 30 deadline, Assembly Bill 551 by Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), relating to retirement, proposes to amend Government Code Section 7523.2. The bill’s one change to existing law would be to extend the operation of a particular code section by one year, until January 1, 2024.

As a result, the bill would make a single change to existing law, as set forth below:

This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

While AB 551 only changes a date in existing law from 2023 to 2024, the effect of this bill, assuming that Governor Newsom signs it, will be extend a provision of existing law for an additional calendar year. This simply reiterates that, no matter the length of a bill, it can still have a profound effect on an existing area of law.