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”).
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). Image by AP. The 2026 California gubernatorial race is as unsettled as ever. Who is the most likely to jump in next? Conversely, who is the most likely to drop out?
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: The National Conference of State Legislatures was created by state legislators and legislative staff in 1975. NCSL serves America’s 50 states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia and hosts the annual NCSL Legislative Summit, the largest policy meeting in the US. We’re joined today by Tim Storey, who has headed the organization since 2019. We asked him what the ‘hot’ topics were at this year’s Summit, how his members feel about the Redistricting wave sweeping the nation, and how the organization has maintained its bipartisan status in a deeply partisan era.
Lobbyist and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.
Photo by Sundry Photography. Design by Ted AngelHello everyone and welcome to the 17th edition of the Capitol Weekly Top 100. Unlike the heroine of Janis Ian’s classic song about the cruelties life can visit upon us at such a tender age, I’m looking at the seventeenth edition of this list with a sense of optimism.
Image by peterschreiber.mediaA quarter century after the California energy crisis, some supporters of energy deregulation have taken to a new idea: turning over control of the state’s energy grid to a West Coast nonprofit.
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined by Assembly Minority Leader-Elect Heath Flora, who will take over as head of the lower house’s Republican caucus later this month, succeeding Asm. James Gallagher. The collegial, no-drama GOP leadership transition stood in stark contrast to the last two Dem leadership fights – owing at least in part to Flora’s reputation as one of the most well-liked members of the legislature.
Photo by Sundry Photography. Design by Ted AngelOur sophomore class for the Capitol Weekly Top 100 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is our way of honoring a few folks each year whose impact on the Capitol community has been so significant that we must permanently acknowledge and honor them for all they have accomplished in their stellar careers.
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.
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last night we published the 17th edition of Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 – our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. KQED’s Marisa Lagos, co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast and radio show joins us to chat about the list. Lagos has been reporting on California politics for nearly two decades, and is intimately familiar with the Golden State’s political power players – elected and not.