By the numbers: The 2019-2020 legislative session

With Gov. Gavin Newsom completing his bill actions on Wednesday, we can look at some of the data from the just-concluded 2019-20 California legislative session.

Bills
Over the two-year session, a total of 4,848 bills were introduced between the Senate and the Assembly (2,625 in 2019 and 2,223 in 2020).

In the Senate, there were a total of 1,474 SBs introduced, including 682 SBs in 2020 and 792 SBs in 2019.

In the Assembly, there were a total of 3,374 ABs introduced, including 1,541 ABs in 2020 and 1,833 ABs in 2019.

Senate bills in detail
In 2019, 792 SBs were introduced. Of those, 562 SBs passed the Senate and 1 SB failed passage on the Senate Floor. Last year, 346 SBs made it to the governor’s desk and 296 SBs were signed and 50 SBs were vetoed.

In 2020, 682 SBs were introduced. Of those, 246 SBs passed the Senate and 2 SBs failed passage on the Senate Floor. This year, 137 SBs made it to the governor’s desk and 117 SBs were signed and 20 SBs were vetoed.

Assembly bills in detail
In 2019, 1,833 ABs were introduced. Of those, 1,040 ABs passed the Assembly and 0 ABs failed passage on the Assembly Floor. Last year, 696 ABs made it to the governor’s desk and 574 ABs were signed and 122 ABs were vetoed.

In 2020, 1,541 ABs were introduced. Of those, 430 ABs passed the Assembly and 7 ABs failed passage on the Assembly Floor. This year, 291 ABs made it to the governor’s desk and 255 ABs were signed and 36 ABs were vetoed.

Assembly resolutions in detail
During the 2019-20 Session, there were 200 Assembly Concurrent Resolutions introduced. Of those, 161 ACRs passed the Assembly over two years, and 124 ACRs were chaptered.

There were 36 Assembly Joint Resolutions introduced. Of those, 18 AJRs passed the Assembly over two years, and 11 AJRs were chaptered.

There were 105 House Resolutions introduced. Of those, 81 passed the Assembly over two years.

Senate resolutions in detail
During the 2019-20 Session, there were 94 Senate Concurrent Resolutions introduced. Of those, 83 SCRs passed the Senate over two years, and 70 SCRs were chaptered.

There were 14 Senate Joint Resolutions introduced. Of those, 11 SJRs passed the Senate over two years, and 7 SJRs were chaptered.

There were 90 Senate Resolutions introduced. Of those, 74 passed the Senate over two years.

Constitutional amendments
During the 2019-20 Session, in the Assembly, there were 26 Assembly Constitutional Amendments introduced:  Of those, 5 ACAs passed the Assembly in 2019, but none were chaptered; 5 ACAs passed in 2020 and 4 ACAs were chaptered.

In the Senate, there were 10 Senate Constitutional Amendments introduced. Of those, 2 SCAs passed the Senate in 2019, but none were chaptered; none were passed in 2020 and none were chaptered.

Senate committees
During the 2020 Legislative Session, the following Senate policy committees had the highest number of bills referred to their committee based on original committee reference of bills:

Education – 86 SBs and 152 ABs = 238 bills

Public Safety – 109 SBs and 120 ABs = 229 bills

Judiciary – 66 SBs and 146 ABs – 212 bills

Health – 75 SBs and 131 ABs = 206 bills

Governance & Finance – 101 SBs and 88 ABs = 189 bills

Assembly committees
During the 2020 Legislative Session, the following Assembly policy committees had the highest number of bills referred to their committee based on original committee reference of bills:

Public Safety – 276 ABs and 70 SBs = 346 bills

Health – 270 ABs and 56 SBs = 326 bills

Education – 217 ABs and 28 SBs = 245 bills

Transportation – 187 ABs and 36 SBs = 223 bills

Natural Resources – 179 ABs and 34 SBs = 213 bills
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Editor’s Note: Chris Micheli, an attorney and adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law,  is a founder of the Sacramento lobbying firm Aprea & Micheli.

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