Office of Legislative Counsel – Page 2

Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Rule 10.5 and California Fiscal Bills

April 14, 2024 2:30 amApril 14, 2024 2:31 am

What does Joint Rule 10.5 of the California Legislature’s Joint Rules provide? JR 10.5 specifies guidance to the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) when determining whether a bill should be “keyed” as a fiscal bill. The “keying” of a bill...

Frequently Asked Questions about Enrolled Bill Reports and Gubernatorial Action

March 29, 2024 2:56 amMarch 29, 2024 2:57 am

What is an Enrolled Bill Report? The Enrolled Bill Report (most often referred to as an “EBR”) is the analysis of a bill with information and a recommendation for final action by the Governor. Is an EBR confidential? While agency...

Frequently Asked Questions about a Special Order of Business

March 21, 2024 2:45 amMarch 21, 2024 2:46 am

What is a special order of business? The Office of Legislative Counsel defines “special order of business” as when, occasionally, a bill is of such importance that advanced notice is given about when it will be considered in the full...

Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Rule 10.5 and California Fiscal Bills

March 20, 2024 5:45 amMarch 20, 2024 5:46 am

What does Joint Rule 10.5 of the California Legislature’s Joint Rules provide? JR 10.5 specifies guidance to the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) when determining whether a bill should be “keyed” as a fiscal bill. The “keying” of a bill...

Frequently Asked Questions about the Role of Legislative Counsel in Initiatives

March 19, 2024 2:45 amMarch 19, 2024 2:46 am

Does the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) draft initiatives? Yes, many do not realize that the highly trained attorneys in the California Office of Legislative Counsel may draft an initiative for the statewide ballot in certain circumstances. What is the...

Can We Call Them Placeholder Bills Instead?

February 8, 2024 8:20 amFebruary 8, 2024 8:20 am

Quite often bills introduced in the California Legislature without substantive language in them are called “spot bills.” However, that is not always the case even though both spot and intent bills act as placeholders with substantive amendments to be added...

Frequently Asked Questions about the May Budget Revision

February 7, 2024 6:51 amFebruary 7, 2024 6:51 am

What is the “May Revision”? The Governor’s Department of Finance explains that the May Revision reflects “changes to the Governor’s Proposed Budget based upon the latest economic forecasts.” The Office of Legislative Counsel, in its Glossary of terms, explains the...