Image by Sparky2000. Most of the provisions of the California Constitution concerning the Legislature are found in Article IV, Sections 1 thru 28. Nonetheless, there are a number of provisions found in other Articles of the state constitution affecting the duties and powers of the Legislature. This article highlights the other major constitutional provisions concerning the Legislature.
Image by WallentineWhen the California Legislature adjourned its 2025 Session, it was not “adjournment sine die.” Instead, that will occur after the conclusion of the second year of the biennium session. There is a distinction between adjournment and adjournment sine die.
Image by mapo. Now that the California Legislature has concluded its 2025 Session, and Governor Newsom is working through whether to sign or veto the bills that reached his Desk this year, I pose the question whether and how any vetoed bills are considered by legislators?
Image by Sutthicha Weerawong. What is the difference between a law’s “effective date” and its “operative date”? A common definition of “effective date” is when the new law is “on the books.” A common definition of “operative date” is when the new law becomes operative or is implemented (which commonly, but mistakenly, is described as when the new law is “in effect”).
Rules an regulations. Image by Bet_Noire.Did you know that the Assembly and Senate Daily Files actually list some rule suspensions (often referred to as “rule waivers”)? While the respective Daily Files contain calendars, tables of information, committee hearings, and legislative measures on the two Floors, they each contain one set of rule suspensions.
Cut down day. Image by :Pla2na. The two Appropriations Committees in the California Legislature have a unique procedure they each use called the “Suspense File.” Basically, any bill which has been keyed “fiscal” by the Legislative Counsel is referred to the fiscal committee in each house,
The California state Capitol at dusk. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)The California Legislature has a combined 55 standing committees, with 32 in the Assembly and 23 in the Senate. In today’s Micheli Files lobbyist and law professor Chris Micheli breaks down the original bill referrals to policy committees during the 2025 Session (meaning the first committee that received a bill from the Rules Committee).
View of the Senate in the California State Capitol building. Image by Sundry Photography. 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.
The state Capitol, Sacramento. (Photo: Wikimedia)In today’s edition of the Micheli Files, intrepid McGeorge law professor and Capitol lobbyist Chris Micheli offers best practices for the use of letters to the Assembly and Senate Daily Journals.
Image by CamerisState mandates refer to state-imposed requirements on local governments and school districts that often involve new programs or higher levels of service. In this week’s Micheli Files McGeorge law professor and Capitol lobbyist Chris Micheli shares insights into some types of state mandates.