Legislative Language
What is a Bill?
A proposed law, introduced during a session for consideration by the Legislature, and identified numerically in order of presentation; also, a reference that may include joint and concurrent resolutions and constitutional amendments.
How can you find out which legislator represents your district?
There are few sites, this is a good one: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
What’s the difference between an AB and SB?
The House of Origin, a bill with an AB designation is introduced by an Assembly member into the Assembly and an SB is introduced by a Senator into the Senate
What are the two main committee hearings that a bill will be assigned to?
All bills will be heard in at least one policy committee and in an appropriations committee in each house
When does a law usually take effect after being signed by the Governor?
January of the following year
Who can be an author of a bill?
Member of the Legislature who introduces a legislative measure, a senator or assembly member
Name the two houses of California State Legislature
The California Legislature is bicameral - meaning there are 2 houses, the Assembly and the Senate.
What is AB 2945 about?
AB 2945 would make extracurricular activities more accessible to foster youth by ensuring that they’re talked about during case planning and providing funds for participation
Where would the Senate bill go after it passed committee hearings?
The the Senate floor for a full vote of the Senate and if passed will head to the Assembly for the next steps
After a law is passed, what is the next step?
Usually after a law passes it goes to a state agency (executive branch) to write the policies and regulations that tell counties how to do things to be in compliance with the law. This is an important opportunity for advocacy after a bill is passed
What is the role of the Appropriations Committee?
A small group of legislators that holds hearings to determine if a bill makes good use of the state's money. Any bill that would cost money to implement is heard in the Appropriations Committee.
Name at least one policy committee in the Assembly
There are about 28 standing committees in the Assembly, the ones CYC bills are usually heard in are Human Services, Higher Education, Public Safety, Health and Education
Who authored SB 885?
Senator Laird (D17 - the San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz area)
When does a bill go back to the House of Origin?
If any amendments (changes) were made in the second house, a bill goes back to the the House of Origin for concurrence (make sure there is agreement)
If a bill dies is there anything that can be done?
An idea can be reintroduced at the next legislative session. It will get a different bill number. The Foster Youth Bill of Rights had to be introduced 5 times before it passed into law and this is not the first time CYC has sponsored a bill on extracurricular activities.
What is the House of Origin?
The house that a bill is introduced in (starts in) - either the Assembly if the bill is introduced by an Assemblymember or the Senate if the bill is introduced by a Senator.
Where does the California Legislature meet?
At the State Capitol building in Sacramento
What policy committee(s) was AB 2417 heard in so far?
Assembly Human Services and Assembly Public Safety
How do amendments delay the process?
Can add time to the analysis so delay votes in committee. Also, if amendments are made in the second house, it has to go through a process to get agreement from the house of origin
Why are laws not implemented the same way in every county?
Policies and regulations created by state agencies are sometimes vague to allow local jurisdictions flexibility in implementation. This is an important opportunity for advocacy after a bill is passed.
Explain what happens when a bill “dies.”
It's the end of the line, the bill will not become a law. A bill can die at any point in the legislative process.
How many California legislators are there?
120, 40 in the Senate (4 year terms) and 80 in the Senate (2 year terms)
Share an example of how you would give public comment in support of on of the bills CYC is sponsoring
State your name and the org you represent (or indicate you are a concerned citizen) and where you live.
Indicate your support for the bill
Keep your testimony short and to the point, you’ll usually have a time limit
Name the three possibilities of a bill once it arrives on the Governor’s desk.
Signed - becomes a law
Vetoed - bill dies
No action - if it’s at the end of the legislative session, bill becomes a law; this is a way for a governor to not show active support for a bill but to not stand in the way of it
What happens if a county doesn’t implement a law?
A lot of times nothing, unless advocates do something!