Intent bills – California Globe

Can We Call Them Placeholder Bills Instead?

February 8, 2024 8:20 amFebruary 8, 2024 8:20 am

Quite often bills introduced in the California Legislature without substantive language in them are called “spot bills.” However, that is not always the case even though both spot and intent bills act as placeholders with substantive amendments to be added...

A Few Bill Statistics from the California Legislature

June 6, 2023 2:30 amJune 6, 2023 2:31 am

As a self-described legislative geek, I was researching different types of bills that have been considered by the California Legislature. I began with the 2023 California Legislative Session and found that there currently are: Over 2,660 bills introduced 124 bills...

A sea of empty desks inside the California State Assembly

It’s Not Just the ‘Spot Bill’ Deadline

March 10, 2023 10:03 amMarch 10, 2023 10:10 am

In another one of my “legislative geek” moments, I would like to suggest that we change our terminology to “placeholder bill.” For example, everyone is aware of the upcoming “spot bill deadlines” in the Assembly (amendments in Legislative Counsel form...

Are Bills with Only Findings and Declarations Considered Substantive?

January 28, 2023 8:48 amJanuary 28, 2023 8:54 am

In the California Legislature, we know that bills that lack proposed substantive law changes are considered “placeholder” measures and generally do not get referred to a policy committee by the Senate or Assembly Rules Committees. In almost all instances, those...

The Second Bill Introduction Deadline in the California Legislature

March 18, 2022 2:44 pmMarch 18, 2022 2:51 pm

How can there be a second bill introduction deadline in the California Legislature? There really is not one, but there is a deadline for getting intent and spot bills amended with substantive language. As a result, this is effectively a...

Intent Bills Are Not Spot Bills and Vice Versa

December 8, 2021 2:42 pmDecember 8, 2021 3:41 pm

Quite often bills introduced in the California Legislature without substantive language in them are called “spot bills.” However, that is not always the case even though both spot and intent bills act as placeholders with substantive amendments to be added...