Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate

Can a Legislator Re-introduce the Same Bill Next Year?

October 11, 2023 10:37 amOctober 11, 2023 10:37 am

As we head into the second year of the 2-year California Legislative Session, some legislators may want to re-introduce a bill that did not make it to the Governor’s Desk during this first year. Are there any applicable rules? The...

What Happens After a Bill Passes the Legislature?

September 18, 2023 2:30 amSeptember 18, 2023 2:31 am

Many people believe a bill, once passed by the California State Senate and State Assembly, goes directly to the Governor’s Desk. However, there is an interim step: Engrossing and enrolling (often referred to as “E&E”). E&E is an important part...

Do California’s Legislative Rules Have Constitutional Protection?

August 29, 2022 6:28 amAugust 29, 2022 6:34 am

Some readers have asked whether the Assembly Rules, Senate Rules, and Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate have equal standing as constitutional provisions because those rules flow from a specific grant of authority. Specifically, Article IV, Section 7(a) provides:...

Bills on Consent – What Qualifies?

March 18, 2020 2:50 amMarch 17, 2020 9:18 pm

Bills considered in the California Legislature without controversy are placed on the “consent calendar,” which means that the bill does not have to be presented by its author or debated by legislators. All bills on the consent calendar are dispensed...