Legislature – Page 17 – California Globe

Legislative Powers and Duties by Statute

January 1, 2020 8:00 amJanuary 1, 2020 8:03 am

In California’s Government Code, there are several code sections that set forth legislative powers and duties. These statutes were added by Proposition 24 in 1984 and are found in Title 2, Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 8, Article 2. The...

What is a Constitutional Amendment?

December 20, 2019 7:15 amDecember 20, 2019 7:59 am

What is a “constitutional amendment”? Although California’s Constitution provides for the amendment of this document, the constitution does not define this term. A traditional definition of a constitutional amendment is a modification to an existing constitution. California’s Legislative Counsel defines...

Does the Legislature Meet in Public or in Private?

December 13, 2019 10:03 amDecember 13, 2019 10:06 am

California’s Constitution, in Article 4, Section 7, deals primarily with the proceedings of the houses and committees of the Legislature. In Section 7(c). “the proceedings of each house and the committees thereof shall be open and public.” Moreover, “the right...

Legislative Oversight

December 9, 2019 6:07 amDecember 8, 2019 7:00 pm

A critical role for the legislative branch of government is oversight regarding executive branch activities. Fundamentally, oversight is intended to ensure government accountability and make certain that tax dollars are spent properly and efficiently by the executive branch of state...

Voting on a Referendum

December 6, 2019 6:45 amDecember 6, 2019 6:41 am

There are a few unique aspects of a referendum in California, which is one of three forms of direct democracy in this state. The referendum is set forth in the California Constitution, in Article II, Section 9, which provides: “The...

Separation of Powers Doctrine in California

November 22, 2019 8:18 amNovember 22, 2019 8:21 am

Separation of powers – what is it and what does it mean? Essentially, the powers of government are provided to separate branches of government to operate. These powers are set forth in the California Constitution and are granted to the...

California Legislature’s Organization and Structure

November 20, 2019 7:41 amNovember 20, 2019 7:44 am

The organization and structure of the California Legislature is established by the California Constitution, specifically in Article IV. Half a dozen sections of Article 4 relate to the organization and structure of the Legislature. Section 1 provides specifically that “The...