legislation – Page 8 – California Globe

What Are the Main Actions a Bill Takes?

March 4, 2023 9:14 amMarch 4, 2023 9:17 am

We know that a bill in the California Legislature can add a new section of law, amend an existing section of law, repeal an existing section of law, or do a combination of those three things. That is what a...

The Value of Explanations in Bill Plus Sections

February 23, 2023 8:54 amFebruary 23, 2023 9:01 am

In reviewing the more than 2,600 bills introduced in the 2023 Legislative Session, I have come across a number of bill sections that could benefit from additional explanation. What I mean by that is that some sections at the end...

Guidelines for Drafting Bill Summaries

February 10, 2023 7:16 amFebruary 10, 2023 7:19 am

An important task for the legislative lawyer is to draft bill summaries. In general, a bill summary should be brief, but easy to read and understand. It should provide a succinct, clear, and accurate synopsis of the major points of...

What Is the Order of Items in a Bill Title?

December 14, 2022 6:51 amDecember 14, 2022 6:56 am

California’s Constitution, in Article IV, Section 9, requires 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 a statute embraces a subject not expressed...

California Was Just Named One of the Worst Judicial Hellholes in the Nation – Again

December 9, 2022 11:43 amDecember 10, 2022 4:48 pm

California was named one of the worst “Judicial Hellhole®” in the country again, according to a new report from the American Tort Reform Association. “Uninjured serial plaintiffs file hundreds of meritless lawsuits targeting businesses, and ultimately, plaintiffs’ lawyers are the...

Standard Sections in the California Budget Bill

November 18, 2022 3:38 pmNovember 18, 2022 3:40 pm

For those who have reviewed all of the provisions of California’s annual Budget Bill, you will notice several control sections that appear in the content of that bill. The Department of Finance (DOF) provides an explanation of these major sections....

Drafting Sunset Clauses in California Legislation

October 31, 2022 3:33 pmOctober 31, 2022 3:55 pm

Sunset dates are common in legislation across the country. The purpose is to repeal a law on a specified date. As a result, unless the Legislature enacts another bill to either extend or eliminate the sunset date, the law will...