Image by Gwengoat via iStock.An example of how helpful well-drafted legislative findings and declarations can be in California legislation comes from a United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision in Welch v. Brown (834 F.3d 1041 (9th Cir. 2016)).
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Image by Sundry Photography. Today’s edition of the Micheli Files provides commentary regarding the specific provisions of Article III of the California Constitution, which deal with the State of California.
Image by Png-StudioLike other legislatures around the country, the California Legislature has a myriad of internal rules. These include separate rules for the Assembly and Senate, as well as Joint Rules applicable to both houses.
California State Capitol Building in Sacramento, California. In reviewing legislation during the last month of the 2026 California Legislative Session, I have come across a number of examples of excellent bill drafting and wanted to draw attention to them to serve as guides in the upcoming 2027 Legislative Session.
The Great Seal of the State of California on the floor of the State Capitol Building. Image by Sundry Photography.When interpreting ambiguous statutes in California, the courts of this state may examine the legislative history of an enacted statute in order to try and effectuate the intent of the Legislature. In such a case, it is important for legislators, staff, and interest groups to better understand the need to provide adequate legislative history.
California Assembly Chambers. Photo by Capitol Weekly. With the final weeks of Session upon us, several procedural items that regularly occur on the Floors of the California Legislature may be in order. Today intrepid Capitol lobbyist, law professor and regular Capitol Weekly contributor Chris Micheli offers insights into understanding the session’s closing moments.
California Assembly Chambers, photo by Capitol Weekly. The California Legislature’s combined 57 standing committees (32 in the Assembly and 25 in the Senate) have addressed 1,846 bills (1,263 ABs and 583 SBs) during the 2026 Legislative Session.
Letter from the 9/12/25 Senate Daily Journal. Image courtesy of Chris Micheli. Because bills cannot be amended in the final three days of the Session, authors and interest groups have been utilizing letters to the Assembly and Senate Daily Journals in an effort to modify their “intent,” or even address concerns with explicit bill language that cannot be amended. Unfortunately, the use of these letters cannot be a substitute for making actual changes to the proposed statutory language.
Image by 24K-Production via iStock. This article is intended to provide a step-by-step instruction detailing how a bill becomes law in the California Legislature, sometimes referred to as the “life cycle” of a bill.
Image by Sundry PhotographyIn my continuing review of pending legislation in the 2026 California Legislative Session, I offer the following observations on a number of bills working their way through the second house policy committees.