The Legislative Process
The legislative process in California follows a series of steps designed to create and pass laws at the state level.
Step 1: Introduction of Bills
Who: Bills can be introduced by a member of the California State Assembly or the California State Senate.
Where: Bills are introduced either in the Assembly or the Senate, depending on where the author sits.
Types of Bills: Bills can address any issue within the scope of state law, ranging from taxes to education to criminal justice.
Step 2: Committee Review
Committees: Each bill is sent to relevant policy committees, which are groups of legislators who have been assigned to review bills of certain issues (like health, education, or public safety).
Hearing: The committee holds hearings where experts, advocates, and the public can testify on the bill. After hearing all sides, the committee votes on whether to move the bill forward.
Amendments: If the committee finds any issues with the bill, they may amend it, sometimes significantly, before it moves on.
Step 3: Floor Debate and Voting
Assembly and Senate Floors: If the bill passes out of committee, it goes to the full Assembly or Senate for debate and a vote.
Debate: Members of the chamber debate the bill’s merits. They can propose additional amendments at this stage.
Vote: After debate, the bill is put to a vote. A majority is required for passage. If it passes, it moves to the other chamber (Assembly to Senate, or Senate to Assembly) for a similar process.
Step 4: Second Chamber
Committee and Floor Process: The second chamber follows a similar process: the bill is sent to a committee, debated, amended, and then voted on by the full chamber.
Amendments: If the second chamber makes changes to the bill, the original chamber must approve those changes before it can move forward.
Step 5: Final Approval
Once both chambers agree on the final version of the bill, it is sent to the Governor for approval.
Step 6: Governors Role
The Governor can either:
Sign the bill: It becomes law.
Veto the bill: The Governor can reject the bill. The Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.
Not act on the bill: If the Governor doesn’t sign or veto the bill within 30 days, it automatically becomes law.
Step 7: Implementation and Enforcement
Once a bill is signed into law, it may require the development of regulations or actions by state agencies for implementation. Some laws take effect immediately, while others have a delayed implementation date.
CVA advocates through all steps of the legislative process from suggesting bill topics, to testifying and finally advocating with the Governor our reason to either sign or veto a bill. The public has the right to speak to your member of the legislature, or someone in their office, to share your views on a bill or to bring up concerns in your community you would like them to address at the State level.
To find your member of the Assembly and Senate, use the links below.
https://www.counties.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/v2-tab5_-_legislative_advocacy.pdf
https://www.senate.ca.gov/citizens-guide/legislative-process
