Assembly Rules – California Globe

Electing California’s Assembly Speaker

November 10, 2022 3:30 pmNovember 10, 2022 3:05 pm

With the convening of a new 2-year California Legislative Session, the Senate and Assembly will organize their respective houses and elect their leaders on December 5 when the 2023-24 Legislative Session officially begins. This article briefly reviews the applicable constitutional,...

Is a Rule Waived or Suspended in the CA Legislature?

October 12, 2022 6:32 amOctober 12, 2022 12:10 pm

We hear most often in the California Legislature that a rule is being “waived” or that someone is seeking a “rule waiver.” However, many rules may be “dispensed with” or “suspended,” rather than waived. So, what is the correct terminology...

Legislative Approval of an Memorandum of Understanding

September 22, 2022 6:37 amSeptember 22, 2022 6:43 am

The California Legislature is required to adopt a memorandum of understanding (MOU) through enactment of a bill, after the MOU has been negotiated and finalized between the Governor and the relevant bargaining unit of the state’s workforce. Neither the Assembly...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

Does the Legislature Use Display Bills Anymore?

September 21, 2022 2:09 pmSeptember 25, 2022 2:16 pm

What is a “display bill” and are they used in the California Legislature? Neither the Assembly Rules nor the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly address the issue of display bills. However, Senate Rule 28.10 provides: “A display bill...

Vote Changes in the California Legislature

September 21, 2022 6:39 amSeptember 21, 2022 6:44 am

Are vote changes allowed in the California Legislature? The answer is yes, although there are different rules between the two houses and some explanation is appropriate. A vote change is obviously when a legislator chooses to change his or her...

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...

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:...