California Legislature – Page 55

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Administrative Agencies

December 20, 2023 2:45 amDecember 20, 2023 2:46 am

What are the different entities within the executive branch of state government? It essentially has three levels: statewide elected officers; independent agencies; and, line-authority agencies. What are “plural executives”? These are the nine constitutional offices that are elected statewide by...

Frequently Asked Questions about California Separation of Powers Doctrine

December 19, 2023 9:32 am

What is “separation of powers”? Essentially, the powers of government are provided to separate branches of government to operate. These powers are set forth in the California Constitution in Article III, Section 3, and are granted to the legislative, executive...

Frequently Asked Questions about Courts Interpreting California’s Legislative Process

December 17, 2023 8:50 amDecember 17, 2023 8:50 am

The California Government Code, among other sources, provides a number of procedural rules for the State Legislature and the lawmaking process in this state. And a number of those statutory provisions have been the subject of litigation, so we have...

Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Rules of Decorum

December 16, 2023 7:19 amDecember 16, 2023 7:19 am

Both the Assembly and Senate of the California Legislature, like other legislative bodies, utilize several rules, as well as customs and practices, for the purpose of ensuring that legislative deliberations and debate operate in a civil and orderly way. The...

Frequently Asked Questions about the Order of Bill Authors and Co-Authors

December 15, 2023 11:19 am

In the California Legislature, there is an order to listing a bill’s authors and co-authors and there are different types of co-authors. What do the Joint Rules provide? Joint Rule 10.7, titled “Heading of Bills,” provides the following: “10.7. A...

Frequently Asked Questions About California Legislative Ethics

December 14, 2023 9:05 am

Does the “revolving door” limitation apply to legislators and staff alike? Under Article IV, Section 5(e) of the state constitution, “The Legislature shall enact laws that prohibit a Member of the Legislature whose term of office commences on or after...

Frequently Asked Questions about General and Special Statutes

December 13, 2023 6:28 amDecember 13, 2023 6:28 am

What is a general statute? A general statute is essentially a law that pertains uniformly to an entire community or all persons generally. What is a special statute? A special statute is essentially a law that applies to a particular person, place,...