Micheli Files

Using model or uniform acts for bill drafting

Image by Vitalii Vodolazskyi

When drafting new laws in California or in other jurisdictions, sometimes interest groups and those drafting legislation may turn to model laws or uniform acts. They may also review similar laws adopted by the federal government or other states, or even other jurisdictions around the globe. As readers might imagine, there are positive and negative aspects of using these other laws when drafting legislation.

Micheli Files

Judicial determinations of severability clauses

California justice, image by Mehaniq

On occasion, bills in the California Legislature contain severability clauses. These types of bills contain multiple provisions and, when those types of bills are challenged in litigation, a court may be required to determine whether the valid provisions are “severable” from the law’s invalid provisions.

Micheli Files

Economic impact analysis under the APA

t

As part of California’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which is contained in the state’s Government Code, executive branch agencies and departments that adopt regulations are required to conduct an economic impact analysis. What is that economic impact analysis and how have the courts interpreted agency actions to comply with this statutory mandate?

Micheli Files

Judicial review of California regulations

Image by bangoland

California Government Code Section 11350 provides that any interested person may obtain a judicial declaration regarding the validity of any regulation or order of repeal by bringing an action for declaratory relief in superior court in this state in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure.

Micheli Files

What are state-mandated local programs in California legislation?

Image Karin Hildebrand Lau

What is a mandated local program? Both the California Constitution and the California Government Code describe in detail a state-mandated local program. As a result of these laws, a California bill is identified as mandating or not mandating a local program that requires reimbursement of costs by the state.

Micheli Files

The use of notwithstanding clauses in California legislation

Image by Vitalii Vodolazskyi

On occasion, a reader may find in a bill in the California Legislature that contains in the text of the measure a phrase similar to the following: “notwithstanding any other provision of law…”. What does this phrase mean? Why is it used? What is its purpose in a California bill?                                 

Micheli Files

California legislation and defined terms

Image by BCFC

Defined terms can play an important role in any legislation. Defining words or phrases is done to provide the reader of the legislative or statutory text with clear guidance regarding how those words or phrases are to be interpreted and applied in the context of that specific text.

Micheli Files

Are all California trailer bills protected against a referendum?

Image by Yuriy K

Some Capitol observers have posed the question whether budget trailer bills in the California Legislature are “shielded” or protected from a referendum challenge. The answer to this question has not been addressed by the judicial branch, but we can certainly make an educated guess. Let’s consider a few points.

Micheli Files

California legislative rules and the constitution

Image by Sebastian Duda

Occasionally I have been asked whether the Legislature’s adopted rules – the Assembly Rules, Senate Rules, and Joint Rules – have equal standing as legislative process rules found in the California Constitution. This question is particularly relevant because these three sets of legislative rules flow from a specific grant of authority in the state Constitution.

Support for Capitol Weekly is Provided by: