BOYS & GIRLS STATE GOV'T

What makes California's path to statehood unique?

It went straight from a treaty government to statehood, skipping territorial status.

What treaty brought California into U.S. hands, and when?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848.

When was California admitted to the Union?

September 9, 1850.

Where was California's first capital, and how did Sacramento become permanent?

San Jose first, then Vallejo, then Benicia, then Sacramento (made permanent by a 1970 amendment).

Who can move California's seat of government today?

Only the People (not the Legislature).

When was California's current constitution adopted?

1879.

How can the Legislature propose a constitutional amendment?

A 2/3 vote in each house, then majority voter approval.

How can the People amend the constitution directly?

Through the initiative process.

How is a constitutional convention called?

A 2/3 vote of both houses, majority voter approval, then the Legislature convenes it within six months.

How many U.S. Senators and Representatives does California elect?

2 Senators; Representatives by population (52 as of 2022).

What are the qualifications for U.S. Senator from California?

At least 25, a citizen for 7+ years, and a CA resident.

How is a vacant U.S. Senate seat from California filled?

By the Governor's appointment until the next state election.

How is a vacant U.S. House seat from California filled?

By special election called by the Governor, or left vacant until the next general election.

Under the Tenth Amendment, what powers belong to the states?

Any not delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states.

What is "incorporation" in city government?

The process for creating a new city or changing an existing city's boundaries.

What does LAFCO stand for, and what does it do?

Local Agency Formation Commission — approves/denies formation, consolidation, or boundary changes of cities and special districts.

Can a LAFCO initiate boundary changes on its own?

Generally no, except dissolving/consolidating special districts.

Who typically sits on a county's LAFCO?

Two county supervisors, two city council reps, one public member, four-year terms.

What's the difference between a "chartered" and a "general law" city?

Chartered cities self-govern under a voter-approved charter; general law cities follow rules set by the state legislature.

How many members typically sit on a general law city council, and for how long?

Five members (larger cities can have 7, 9, or 11), four-year terms.

What's the difference between an ordinance and a resolution?

Ordinances are permanent local laws; resolutions cover special/temporary matters or opinions.

Does a general law city mayor have veto power?

No — only some chartered cities give the mayor veto power.

How does a city typically select its mayor?

The council chooses one of its own members.

Who elects the city clerk and treasurer, and for how long?

Elected directly by voters, four-year terms.

What are key duties of the city clerk?

Keeping council records, acting as chief accounting officer, custodian of the city seal.

Who appoints the police chief and fire chief?

The city council; both serve at its pleasure.

What percentage of signatures forces a special election on an initiative?

At least 15% of the city's electors.

What percentage gets an initiative onto the next regular ballot instead?

At least 10% of the city's electors.

How long after passage does a city ordinance take effect?

30 days, unless passed as an emergency ordinance by a 4/5 vote.

What percentage of signatures can trigger a referendum against a new ordinance?

At least 10% of qualified electors, within 30 days.

How long must a city official have held office before facing recall?

At least six months.

What percentage of signatures does a city recall petition need?

At least 10% of registered voters.

What happens if a recall vote ties or a majority votes "no"?

The recall fails and the officer keeps the seat.

How can the Superior Court remove a city official?

How can the Superior Court remove a city official?

How many counties does California have?

58.

Who sets county names, boundaries, and subdivisions?

The State Legislature.

What's required to change a county seat?

Approval by two-thirds of county electors.

How can a county gain greater home rule?

By adopting its own charter.

Which California area has merged its city and county governments?

San Francisco.

How many members sit on a county Board of Supervisors?

Five, no more than three elected at once.

Who is the county's chief legal advisor and public prosecutor?

The District Attorney.

What case established the right to a public defender for indigent defendants?

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963).

How is the Public Defender typically chosen in California counties?

Appointed (San Francisco elects theirs for a four-year term).

What is the sheriff's principal duty?

Preserving the peace, investigating offenses, and running the county jail.

What is a "magistrate" in California?

An officer with authority to issue arrest warrants (Superior Court judges and commissioners qualify).

How does the "Public Administrator" role at Boys & Girls State differ from a real Sheriff/Coroner setup?

It's a separate elected position handling administrative, investigative, and medical duties tied to deaths; Coroner-specific duties aren't addressed.

What's the county clerk's role with the Superior Court?

Ex officio clerk — issuing notices/processes, keeping records of orders and judgments.

What does the county recorder do?

Records deeds, mortgages, wills, liens, and birth/death/marriage certificates.

Who issues warrants drawn on the county treasury?

The Auditor.

What does the county Tax Collector do?

Collects assessed property taxes, plus required licenses and fees.

How many members sit on the State Board of Equalization, and who's one automatically

Five — four elected, plus the State Controller.

What's a key function of the Board of Equalization?

Ensuring uniform property tax assessment and overseeing sales/fuel/tobacco/alcohol tax programs.

As of 2006, what's true of trial courts in every county?

All consolidated Municipal and Superior Courts — only Superior Courts now exist.

What's the monetary limit for small claims court?

$10,000.

Are attorneys allowed in small claims court?

Not unless on appeal to Superior Court.

What does "tried de novo" mean for a small claims appeal?

Tried completely fresh in Superior Court.

How many people sit on a grand jury, and how many votes does an indictment require?

23 in counties over 4 million people, 19 elsewhere; at least 12 votes to indict.

How long is the term for an elected county officer?

Four years.

Which statewide executive officer is elected non-partisan, unlike the others?

The Superintendent of Public Instruction.

What extra residency requirement applies only to Governor/Lt. Governor candidates?

Five years of California residency.

Name a few key duties of the Governor.

Commander-in-Chief of the Militia, enforcing laws, making appointments, calling special sessions, granting pardons, approving/vetoing bills.

What's the Lieutenant Governor's main Senate role?

Presiding officer, voting only to break a tie.

Name a few key duties of the Secretary of State.

Filing incorporation papers, running elections, filing initiative/referendum/recall petitions, attesting the Governor's acts with the Great Seal.

What does the Controller do?

Accounts for and disburses state funds, supervises certain tax collection.

What does the State Treasurer do?

Holds state funds, pays them out on the Controller's warrants, supervises bond sales.

What's the Attorney General's role?

Chief law enforcement officer, head of the Department of Justice.

What does the Insurance Commissioner regulate?

The insurance industry (life, health, property, auto, casualty).

Who's first in line to succeed a vacant Governorship?

The Lieutenant Governor.

What's the full order of succession to the Governorship?

Lt. Governor, Senate President pro Tem, Assembly Speaker, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Controller.

What bodies resolve disputes over vacancies in constitutional offices?

The Commission on the Governorship and the Commission on the Constitutional Officers.

What were the four main executive agencies described in the manual?

Business and Transportation, Resources, Human Relations, and Agriculture and Services.

Who heads each state executive agency?

A person designated as that Agency's Secretary.

How many members make up the California Assembly and Senate?

Assembly: 80; Senate: 40.

What residency is required to serve in the Legislature?

A CA resident 3+ years, district resident 1+ year.

How long are Assembly and Senate terms?

Assembly: 2 years; Senate: 4 years.

What's the lifetime limit on legislative service?

12 years combined.

Who presides over the Senate? The Assembly?

Lt. Governor presides over the Senate; the Assembly elects its own Speaker.

When does the Legislature convene each year?

Noon on the Monday after January 1st.

How can the Governor call a special session?

By proclamation, limited to specified subjects.

What vote expels a member from a legislative chamber?

A 2/3 vote of that chamber's elected members.

By when must the budget bill pass each year?

Midnight, June 15th.

What vote passes most general fund appropriations?

A 2/3 roll-call vote in each house.

What's the basic process for a bill after introduction?

Committee, three readings, majority vote, then the same process in the other house.

What happens if the second house amends a bill differently?

It returns to the first house's committee, or a joint conference committee redrafts it.

What can the Governor do with a passed bill?

Sign it, or veto it and return it with objections.

What vote overrides a governor's veto?

2/3 of members elected in each house.

What happens if the Governor takes no action within 12 days?

The bill becomes law automatically.

What signature percentage is needed for a constitutional amendment initiative?

8% of votes cast for governor (5% for an ordinary statute).

Who prepares the title/summary for an initiative or referendum?

The Attorney General.

What does the referendum power let voters do?

Approve or reject a statute the Legislature already passed (with some exceptions).

How long after the regular session must a new statute wait to take effect?

Until the 61st day after adjournment (91st after a special session), with exceptions.

How many justices sit on the California Supreme Court, and for how long?

Seven (1 Chief + 6 Associate), 12-year terms.

Are Supreme Court/Court of Appeal justices elected in open elections?

No — the Governor appoints; the public votes only on retention.

What original jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?

Writs of mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, and habeas corpus.

Which criminal appeals go directly to the Supreme Court?

Death penalty cases.

How many Courts of Appeal districts does California have?

Six.

How long are Court of Appeal justices' terms?

12 years, same selection process as the Supreme Court.

Who chairs the Judicial Council, and how many members total?

The Chief Justice; 21 members.

What's a main function of the Judicial Council?

Reviewing court operations and recommending rules of practice/procedure.

What does the Commission on Judicial Appointments do?

Confirms or rejects the Governor's nominations to the Supreme Court/Courts of Appeal.