Office of Legislative Counsel

An Introduction to the California Legislature and the Legislative Process

November 2, 2025 2:00 pmNovember 2, 2025 2:01 pm

This general overview of the California legislative process is intended to acquaint those new to the State Capitol with basic information to appreciate different aspects of the process and some of the players in the legislative process. The website of...

Why Legislative Counsel Should Draft All Ballot Measures

October 4, 2025 4:13 pmOctober 4, 2025 4:13 pm

I found myself recently discussing initiatives and the common drafting concerns expressed by those who review them. With measures placed on the ballot by the Legislature, the attorneys in the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) for the California Legislature draft...

Gavin Newsom’s DNC Rally for Abortion, Big Labor… Oh, and Redistricting

August 14, 2025 3:28 pmAugust 14, 2025 7:00 pm

California Governor Gavin Newsom had a DNC-style rally in Los Angeles Thursday, and invited potty mouth leaders of Planned Parenthood, the California Teachers Association, SEIU CA, Senator Adam Schiff, and other Democrat politicians to speak, all praising abortion, big labor,...

Assemblyman DeMaio: Newsom’s Scheme to Redraw Maps is ‘Illegal, Unconstitutional, Unnecessary’

August 14, 2025 12:26 pmAugust 14, 2025 12:31 pm

California Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) has written a letter to the Office of Legislative Counsel (below) that outlines the numerous legal and constitutional violations of Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to redraw California’s legislative district maps. Newsom seeks political retribution...

Why Do Some Tax Increase Bills Only Contain an Urgency Clause?

May 19, 2025 6:41 pmMay 19, 2025 6:41 pm

Some have raised the question why a bill that is clearly a tax increase contains an urgency clause and does not mention that it is a tax increase. A bill that would raise taxes and does not contain an urgency...

An Introduction to Bill Drafting in California

November 2, 2024 1:02 pmNovember 2, 2024 1:03 pm

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 1 of the California Constitution, the Legislature and the People share the lawmaking power. In drafting legislation (including proposed initiatives by the people), California’s Office of Legislative Counsel follows a number of drafting principles. First,...

SB 867 – Proposed Climate Bond for November Ballot

June 30, 2024 10:27 amJune 30, 2024 10:27 am

Late night on June 29, final amendments were made to Senate Bill 867 to place a climate bond on the November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot. SB 867 is jointly authored by 5 Senators and 2 Assembly Members, and co-authored...