Tag: Assembly
Frequently Asked Questions about Placeholder Bills
What is a “placeholder bill” in the California Legislature? It is an introduced bill that does not contain substantive law changes. It is intended to save a place for future amendments. What are the types of placeholder bills? Spot bills,...
Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Branch Support Agencies
What is the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC)? Founded in 1913, the Office of Legislative Counsel is a nonpartisan public agency that drafts legislative proposals, prepares legal opinions, and provides other confidential legal services to the Legislature and Governor. What...
How to Read a California Bill Analysis
As you might think, there are several different types of bill analyses used in the California Legislature. First, there are committee and floor analyses of bills. Second, at the committee level, there are analyses prepared by the policy and fiscal...
Another Reason to Limit Bill Introductions?
As I did my final review of Governor Newsom’s actions on the 1,046 bills sent to him after the 2023 Legislative Session, I noticed that some of the Governor’s veto messages provide additional rationales for limiting bill introductions. Out of...
Frequently Asked Questions about Motions in the California Legislature
What is the process for a motion to adjourn in the Assembly? These motions are not debatable and may not be amended, and are always in order with certain exceptions. A motion to adjourn requires adoption by a majority vote...
What Is ‘Nongeneral Legislation’?
Have you ever heard of “nongeneral legislation”? It is defined in the California Government Code. Section 87102.5 provides general prohibitions for any Member of the Legislature who makes, participates in making, or in any way attempts to use the Member’s...