Legislature Archives - California Globe

Is This the End of the World for California’s Budget?

May 8, 2020 8:05 amMay 8, 2020 8:32 am

California Governor Gavin Newsom just announced a $54 billion budget gap. That’s a two-year number comparable to the $60 billion gap that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger “solved” in 2009-2010. It represents about 26 percent of the total revenue projected for 2020-2021 in the budget released...

Considerations in Drafting California Legislation – Part I

April 27, 2020 6:22 amApril 27, 2020 6:28 am

There are numerous considerations in drafting legislation at the state or federal levels of government. There are several items that are useful to understand before undertaking the drafting of bills and amendments in the State of California. Before looking at...

Legislative Operations During Emergencies

March 29, 2020 2:00 pmMarch 30, 2020 1:32 pm

If the Legislature decides to proceed with remote hearings and voting, how will members of the public participate? As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, numerous state legislatures around the country have acted upon or are considering measures to...

The Three Readings of a Bill and Other Floor Procedures in the California Legislature

March 11, 2020 6:01 amMarch 11, 2020 6:02 am

The California Constitution requires a bill to be “read” three times before it can be debated and voted upon by either house. A “reading” of a bill in the Assembly or Senate is defined as being the presentation of the...

Role of Leadership Staff in the Lawmaking Process

February 21, 2020 6:15 amFebruary 20, 2020 8:47 pm

There are four legislative leaders representing the two political parties in the two houses of the California Legislature. These four individuals are elected by the members of their respective caucuses. In addition, for the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro...

Delegation of Authority by the Legislature

February 14, 2020 6:46 amFebruary 14, 2020 6:49 am

The more that authority is delegated, the more likely it will be deemed unlawful. Under constitutional separation-of-powers provisions, generally the laws are enacted by the legislative branch of government, the laws are administered by the executive branch, and the...

Sen. Marsha Blackburn Proposes Ban on Funding to States that Give Drivers’ Licenses to Illegal Immigrants

February 13, 2020 9:04 amFebruary 13, 2020 11:30 am

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) announced Wednesday she is proposing a bill to ban funding for states that give illegal immigrants drivers licenses. “The Stop Greenlighting Drivers’ Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act” blocks certain federal funds to sanctuary states, including...