legislative intent – California Globe

Should Interpretive Guidance Be Included in California Legislation?

April 28, 2024 2:30 amApril 28, 2024 2:31 am

General statements of legislative intent may or may not be helpful. Why? First, they are of limited value to the courts. For example, a recent California appellate court decision stated: “Legislative findings and statements of purpose in a statute’s preamble...

Legislative Intent Does Not Equate to a Mandate

April 27, 2024 2:30 amApril 27, 2024 2:31 am

I am not sure if it is because of the budget situation and a desire to reduce costs for a bill, or a misunderstanding about intent versus statutory language, but those involved in the California Legislature and its legislative process...

Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative History and Intent

April 21, 2024 2:30 amApril 21, 2024 2:31 am

What is legislative history? Legislative history relates to how a bill becomes law, and includes the documents and steps involved in passage of the successful legislation. What is statutory history? Statutory history is usually defined as changes to the language...

Legislative Findings and Intent Statements Should Be Separate

October 8, 2023 5:57 pmOctober 8, 2023 5:57 pm

I have written previously about the similarities and differences between findings and declarations set forth in a bill and legislative intent statements. While both of these types of statements are made by the California Legislature, my opinion is that they...

Possible New Approach for Appropriations Bills?

February 18, 2023 9:42 amFebruary 18, 2023 9:45 am

In reviewing the hundreds of new bill introductions for the 2023 California Legislative Session, I came across a possible new approach for appropriations bills. Will this approach take hold with other measures as well? The language is found in a...

Legislative History and Intent – What Is the Difference?

October 20, 2022 4:26 pmOctober 20, 2022 3:29 pm

Many Capitol observers use the terms “legislative history,” “statutory history,” and “legislative intent” interchangeably. However, these terms generally mean two different things. What are those distinctions among these terms? Legislative history relates to how a bill becomes law, and includes...

Legislative Intent and Future Budget Appropriations

August 31, 2022 7:22 amAugust 31, 2022 7:25 am

In recent years, California state government has been working on a multi-year budget cycle. This means both the Governor and Legislature have been adopting budgets that attempt to make appropriations for more than the current budget year. Is that possible,...