California Legislature – Page 84

What Committee Actions Can Occur Without a Quorum?

October 12, 2022 3:22 pmOctober 12, 2022 3:26 pm

Before any official legislative business can be conducted in a policy or fiscal committee, or on either Floor of the Assembly or Senate, a quorum must be established, which means over half of the legislators are present and answer to...

Some Practical Notes About Special Sessions of the California Legislature

October 12, 2022 12:01 pmOctober 12, 2022 1:35 pm

With a likely special session beginning in early December when the Legislature convenes its 2023-24 Session, there are several practical items to keep in mind during special sessions of the California Legislature. For example: What are some of the subject...

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...

Is a Rule Waived or Suspended in the CA Legislature?

October 12, 2022 6:32 amOctober 12, 2022 12:10 pm

We hear most often in the California Legislature that a rule is being “waived” or that someone is seeking a “rule waiver.” However, many rules may be “dispensed with” or “suspended,” rather than waived. So, what is the correct terminology...

A Bill Can Be ‘Held’ by a Legislative Committee in Several Ways

October 11, 2022 4:30 pmOctober 11, 2022 4:34 pm

In the California Legislature, a bill can be “held” in three distinct ways, which seems rather odd because it would appear that the end result is the same – the bill is not moving forward from the policy or fiscal...

Why Are Conference Committees Rarely Used in the California Legislature?

October 11, 2022 6:29 amOctober 11, 2022 6:38 am

In the past, the California Legislature used conference committees as a regular part of the legislative process. However, despite extensive rules and procedures for their use, the conference committee in the California Legislature is largely nonexistent today. Why is that?...

California State Assembly nearly empty except for a few folks in the balcony.

What Are the Two Types of Author’s Amendments?

October 11, 2022 6:13 amOctober 11, 2022 6:19 am

A bill author can amend his or her bill in two different instances. These are called “author’s amendments” and they can occur before formal committee or floor action, or during those times. The first type of author’s amendment occurs before...