legislation – Page 18 – California Globe

Special Rules for California Bill Drafting

October 20, 2020 2:45 amOctober 19, 2020 9:30 pm

With certain types of legislation in California, there are several unique drafting rules, such as for tax measures, bond measures, and criminal statutes. Tax Bills There is a misconception that a bill keyed as a “tax levy” is always a...

Drafting a Bill to Regulate a Profession

October 17, 2020 7:52 amOctober 17, 2020 1:28 pm

On occasion, the bill drafter will need to create a new regulatory scheme as legislators intend to regulate a profession or occupation that has not previously been subject to regulation. As a general rule, the intent of regulating a profession...

Drafting a Bill’s Title

October 16, 2020 2:25 amOctober 16, 2020 6:08 am

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9 of the California Constitution, there is a requirement for each bill to have a title. The constitutional provision states: “A statute shall embrace but one subject, which shall be expressed in its title. If...

Does Legislative Intent Language Trump Statutory Language?

October 12, 2020 6:18 amOctober 12, 2020 11:09 am

As we examine instances where a bill in the California Legislature contains both statutory changes (by amending, adding or repealing code sections) and legislative intent statements (usually in the form of findings and declarations), we expect these two types of...

UPDATED: Failed Bills 2020 California Legislature, End of Session

September 7, 2020 7:08 amSeptember 7, 2020 1:48 pm

Some California political junkies call these “leftover bills.” When the California Legislature adjourned its 2020 Session just before 1:30am on September 1, it left unfinished a number of bills that were heavily lobbied up until the last minute. While the...

What Happens During the Last Weeks of the Legislative Session?

July 28, 2020 6:22 amJuly 28, 2020 6:33 am

This article highlights the major happenings at the end of the legislative process pursuant to the California Constitution and relevant statutes. There are essentially three major parts to the legislative session: house of origin; second house; and, final month and...

Key Reminders in Drafting Legislation

July 5, 2020 5:13 amJuly 5, 2020 5:16 am

When drafting bills and amendments in California, a number of key reminders are worth reviewing. At a most basic level, every bill draft should clearly describe who is required or allowed to do what; what is required or allowed to...