Constitution Archives - California Globe

California Assemblyman Challenges Gov. Newsom’s ‘Cattle Call’ to Fill Kamala Harris’ Senate Seat

November 16, 2020 9:43 amNovember 17, 2020 12:26 pm

Over the weekend, black California politicians demanded Gov. Gavin Newsom appoint a Black woman to the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kamala Harris’ should former Vise President Joe Biden and Harris win the Presidential election. “At a press conference...

The Connection Between Judges and Bill Drafters

November 10, 2020 6:29 amNovember 11, 2020 6:13 am

What is the connection between how judges interpret statutes and how statutes are drafted by legislative counsel? In broad terms, it is “literalism” versus “purposive” approaches to interpreting statutes. Literalism is generally defined as the interpretation of words in their...

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...

Darrell Issa, Judicial Watch Sue California Over Mail-In Ballot Order

May 23, 2020 7:49 am

On Thursday, former Congressman and current Congressional candidate Darrell Issa sued California along with conservative political accountability group Legal Watch over California’s decision to send mail-in ballots to every registered voter in California in November. Issa and Judicial Watch challenge...

What is a Constitutional Amendment?

December 20, 2019 7:15 amDecember 20, 2019 7:59 am

What is a “constitutional amendment”? Although California’s Constitution provides for the amendment of this document, the constitution does not define this term. A traditional definition of a constitutional amendment is a modification to an existing constitution. California’s Legislative Counsel defines...

Effective Dates of Statutes in California Legislation

October 7, 2019 6:05 amOctober 6, 2019 8:09 pm

In the California Legislature, legislation that contains an urgency clause takes effect immediately upon the Governor signing the bill and it being chaptered by the Secretary of State. With the exception of measures which take effect immediately, tax levies, and...

Is There Liability for Enacting Unconstitutional Laws?

June 5, 2019 6:00 amJune 2, 2019 9:12 pm

I have occasionally been asked whether there is any recourse when the Legislature and Governor enact a law that violates the state and/or federal constitutions. Obviously, the first action would be to challenge the enacted bill in either a state...