California Constitution – Page 12

What Is the ‘Order of Enumeration?’

October 17, 2022 6:44 amOctober 17, 2022 6:49 am

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9 of the California Constitution, there is a requirement for each bill to have a title. The constitutional provision states: “A statute shall embrace but one subject, which shall be expressed in its title. If...

Are Legislative Findings in ‘No Place Like Home’ Bills Sufficient?

October 15, 2022 7:16 amOctober 15, 2022 7:32 am

In reviewing recently-passed legislation that proposes amendments to the “No Place Like Home Program,” as enacted by the voters by Prop. 2 in 2018, the same legislative finding and declaration is made in each bill. It is a simplistic statement...

Common Sense Public Safety: Tulare County DA Warns of Fallout with Reduced Sentences and CDCR Resentencing

October 14, 2022 8:20 amOctober 15, 2022 7:12 am

In June, the Globe spoke with Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward about the alarming effects of legislative efforts to remove and reduce violent criminal offenses in the state, undermining law enforcement. We discussed the repercussions of AB 333, the far-reaching fingers...

Fiscal Emergency Special Sessions

October 12, 2022 7:30 amOctober 12, 2022 1:35 pm

In addition to extraordinary or special sessions being called by the Governor, California allows for special sessions in “fiscal emergencies.” Adopted by the voters in March 2004 as Proposition 58, Section 10 of Article IV of the California Constitution was...

Establishing a Quorum In the California Legislature

October 10, 2022 7:40 amOctober 10, 2022 7:44 am

What is the importance of a quorum and how is it established? In the California Legislature, according to the Office of Legislative Counsel, “a quorum must be recorded in order for legislative business to be transacted.” For example, Section 7(a)...

What Bill Drafting Guidance Do We Have from the California Constitution?

September 24, 2022 7:43 amSeptember 24, 2022 7:47 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 first source is the California Constitution. What legislation drafting guidance is contained in the state Constitution?...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

Apportionment of Revenues Among Political Entities

September 23, 2022 6:43 amSeptember 23, 2022 6:46 am

In legislation creating a new type of special district (a form of local government in this state whose number are in excess of 2,000 entities) that receives tax revenues, Article XIII, Section 29 of the California Constitution has to be...