legislation – Page 4 – California Globe

Should Legislative Statements Accompany Retroactive Law Changes?

January 10, 2024 6:25 amJanuary 10, 2024 6:25 am

A few times per year in the California Legislature, readers may see language that states “this act does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.” What is the purpose of this language and should these types...

Frequently Asked Questions about Drafting Rules for Specific Types of Bills

January 2, 2024 2:30 amJanuary 2, 2024 1:47 pm

How many main requirements are there for an appropriations bill? There are three major requirements for drafting bills that make an appropriation of funds. What is the first requirement for drafting an appropriation bill? In the Relating Clause, the following...

Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Branch Support Agencies

December 31, 2023 2:30 amDecember 31, 2023 2:31 am

What is the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC)? Founded in 1913, the Office of Legislative Counsel is a nonpartisan public agency that drafts legislative proposals, prepares legal opinions, and provides other confidential legal services to the Legislature and Governor. What...

Frequently Asked Questions about Types of Bills in the California Legislature

November 25, 2023 7:20 amNovember 25, 2023 7:20 am

The following are the types of bills that people working in and around the State Capitol describe in their legislative dealings: What is an Appropriation bill? This bill contains language that appropriates funds for expenditures by the state. What is...

Another Reason to Limit Bill Introductions?

November 12, 2023 7:52 amNovember 12, 2023 7:52 am

As I did my final review of Governor Newsom’s actions on the 1,046 bills sent to him after the 2023 Legislative Session, I noticed that some of the Governor’s veto messages provide additional rationales for limiting bill introductions. Out of...

Frequently Asked Questions About Governor’s Actions on Bills

November 5, 2023 10:06 am

What are the three possible actions that the Governor can take on a bill sent to the Desk? They are (1) sign the bill into law; (2) veto the bill; or (3) allow the bill to become law without a...

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Political Laws

November 3, 2023 2:45 amNovember 3, 2023 2:46 am

For those not familiar, I put together the following questions and answers for those queries that are most often posed regarding California’s political laws. What created the Political Reform Act (PRA)? The PRA was adopted by the voters on June...