Are the Following Bills Substantive or Nonsubstantive?

January 30, 2023 7:15 amJanuary 30, 2023 7:16 am

Why and when does the distinction between substantive and nonsubstantive proposed changes to California statutes matter in pending legislation? It matters for the Assembly or Senate Rules Committees to refer a bill to a policy committee. That is because neither...

Are Bills with Only Findings and Declarations Considered Substantive?

January 28, 2023 8:48 amJanuary 28, 2023 8:54 am

In the California Legislature, we know that bills that lack proposed substantive law changes are considered “placeholder” measures and generally do not get referred to a policy committee by the Senate or Assembly Rules Committees. In almost all instances, those...

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,...

Some Practical Notes About Special Sessions of the California Legislature

October 12, 2022 12:01 pmOctober 12, 2022 1:35 pm

With a likely special session beginning in early December when the Legislature convenes its 2023-24 Session, there are several practical items to keep in mind during special sessions of the California Legislature. For example: What are some of the subject...

California State Assembly nearly empty except for a few folks in the balcony.

What Bill Drafting Guidance Do We Have from the Legislature’s House Rules?

September 27, 2022 6:21 amSeptember 27, 2022 10:37 am

When drafting legislation in California, there are several sources of guidance in drafting bills and other forms of legislation (resolutions and constitutional amendments). The fourth source is the Legislature’s individual house rules. What legislation drafting guidance is contained in the...

The Second Bill Introduction Deadline in the California Legislature

March 18, 2022 2:44 pmMarch 18, 2022 2:51 pm

How can there be a second bill introduction deadline in the California Legislature? There really is not one, but there is a deadline for getting intent and spot bills amended with substantive language. As a result, this is effectively a...

‘Let’s Make a Deal:’ Newsom Admin. Inks Backroom Deal With Kaiser for Statewide Medi-Cal Health

February 5, 2022 10:01 amFebruary 7, 2022 12:00 pm

Only days after California’s proposed Single Payer state-controlled health care bill failed to even get to a vote on the Assembly floor last week, a medical industry news website announced “California inks sweetheart deal with Kaiser Permanente, jeopardizing Medicaid reforms.”...