California Legislature Archives

Convening the Next Legislative Session December 7th

October 21, 2020 2:49 amOctober 22, 2020 10:50 am

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 12 noon, the California Legislature will convene its next two-year session. Although the new session begins in December 2020, it is designated the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. What are the legal requirements of convening the...

Special Rules for California Bill Drafting

October 20, 2020 2:45 amOctober 19, 2020 9:30 pm

With certain types of legislation in California, there are several unique drafting rules, such as for tax measures, bond measures, and criminal statutes. Tax Bills There is a misconception that a bill keyed as a “tax levy” is always a...

440,000 ‘Questionable’ Ballots Mailed Out in California’s Election

October 19, 2020 7:05 amOctober 20, 2020 12:32 pm

In May, California Globe warned 458,000 dead persons could be mailed ballots if the state moved to an all-mail in November 2020 election. This warning was based on a report by the Election Integrity Project. And then Gov. Gavin Newsom...

Severability or Savings Clauses in California Bills

October 18, 2020 8:12 amOctober 18, 2020 4:44 pm

On occasion, a reader may come across a severability or savings clause contained in a California bill. Basically, a severability clause is a statement by the Legislature that, if a part of a law that is enacted is subsequently held...

Does Legislative Intent Language Trump Statutory Language?

October 12, 2020 6:18 amOctober 12, 2020 11:09 am

As we examine instances where a bill in the California Legislature contains both statutory changes (by amending, adding or repealing code sections) and legislative intent statements (usually in the form of findings and declarations), we expect these two types of...

Are Legislative Findings and Declarations Necessary in Legislation?

October 11, 2020 8:15 amOctober 12, 2020 11:12 am

On occasion, when we review California bills, we come across legislative findings and declarations in these measures. Why are they used and are they necessary? There are basically two schools of thought among bill drafters. But first, what are they?...

Adjournment in the California Legislature

October 6, 2020 2:37 amOctober 7, 2020 8:48 am

When the California Legislature adjourned its 2020 Session in the early morning hours of September 1, many observers mistakenly called it “adjournment sine die.” There is a distinction between adjournment and adjournment sine die. According to the Legislative Counsel’s Glossary...