California Legislature Archives

In California’s Government Code, there are several code sections that set forth legislative rules and procedures. These statutes were added by Proposition 24 in 1984 and are found in Title 2, Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 8, Article 3. The...

Articles Governor Highlight Legislature

Overview of California’s Budget Process

January 12, 2020 7:44 amJanuary 12, 2020 10:46 am

The state budget process on paper is similar to the legislative process; however, it can be different in practical terms. The full budget committees of the Senate and Assembly act mostly as the final arbiter of their respective houses when...

Articles Governor Highlight Legislature

Determining Whether Amendments Are Germane

January 8, 2020 6:01 amJanuary 8, 2020 6:28 am

In the California Legislature, as with several other legislative bodies around the country, there is an initial question regarding whether amendments to existing bills must be “germane” to the subject matter of the existing bill. As described in legislative glossaries,...

Articles Governor Highlight Legislature

California’s Legislative Calendar

January 6, 2020 5:57 amJanuary 6, 2020 6:03 am

The calendar for the California Legislative Session is important for those working in and around the State Capitol. The California Constitution provides the dates of convening and adjourning the legislative session. Other than that, the Legislature has freedom to set...

Articles Feature Governor Legislature

California’s Most Memorable Political Moments of 2019

December 31, 2019 2:08 amDecember 31, 2019 7:57 am

During his swearing in on January 7, 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom wowed the crowds at his inauguration. But many wondered about his intentions following eight years as a frustrated and even bored California Lieutenant Governor. Newsom did not disappoint in...

Articles Highlight Legislature

What is an ‘Appropriations Measure?’

December 27, 2019 6:08 amDecember 27, 2019 7:23 am

What is an “appropriations measure”? Unfortunately, California law does not define this term. However, it is used frequently. California’s Legislative Counsel defines an appropriation as “the amount of money made available for expenditure by a specific entity for a specific...

Articles Governor Highlight Legislature

Judging the Qualifications of Members of the California Legislature

December 23, 2019 6:09 amDecember 23, 2019 6:29 am

California Constitution Article IV, Section 5(a)(1) specifies: “Each house of the Legislature shall judge the qualifications and elections of its Members and, by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring, may expel a Member.” The courts...

Tag: California Legislature

Legislative Rules and Procedures by Statute

Overview of California’s Budget Process

Determining Whether Amendments Are Germane

California’s Legislative Calendar

California’s Most Memorable Political Moments of 2019

What is an ‘Appropriations Measure?’

Judging the Qualifications of Members of the California Legislature