California Legislature Notes

California Legislature

Components of the California Legislature

• Design, purpose, and functions of the California Legislature.
• Roles and perceptions of representatives.
• Leadership within the legislature.
• The California State Capitol is accessible to the public.

Structure of the State Legislature

• Modeled after the U.S. Congress, it is bicameral (two houses).
• Two houses: the Assembly and the Senate.
• The two chambers are designed to check each other.
• Each house has different membership numbers and term lengths.

California State Senate

• 40 members.
• Each senator represents approximately 1 million people.
• Senators have larger constituent bases than many congressional districts in other states.
• A California State Senator represents a district larger than a congressional district, even though California has 52 members of Congress.
• Four-year terms.
• Subject to term limits: a total of 12 years in the state legislature.
• Term limits apply to any combination of service in the Assembly and the Senate.
• Democrats hold a supermajority (over two-thirds of the members).

California State Assembly

• 80 members (twice as many as the State Senate).
• Represents about half a million people (half the size of a Senate district).
• Two-year terms.
• Subject to a total of 12 years term limit in the state legislature.
• Democrats also hold a supermajority.

Differences Between Senate and Assembly

Term Limits

• Voters have the power to change state law and constitution through initiative, referendum, and recall.
• Legislators can serve a total of 12 years in either house or a combination of both.
• Lifetime ban after serving 12 years.

Redistricting

• Districts were formerly drawn by the legislators themselves.
• Now drawn by an independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
• The commission was formed by two propositions.
• The lines for congressional districts are also drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Professional Legislature

• California legislature is considered professional.
• Heavily staffed, meets year-round full-time, and well-paid.
• Members make over $100,000$ a year.

Representation

• The legislature does not fully represent the demographics of California.
• Latino population (over 40% of the state) is underrepresented (20-25% in the legislature).
• White population is typically overrepresented.
• Women are typically underrepresented.
• Black population is approximately accurately represented.
• Asian population is slightly underrepresented.
• Multiracial/other populations are approximately represented.

Roles and Tasks of Assembly Members and Senators

• Approximately 5,000 bills are proposed and considered in a two-year legislative session.
• Much of the work is done in committees.

Committee Functions

• Hear bills and receive testimony.
• Gather input from constituents, lobbyists, and experts.
• Determine whether to amend, drop, or pass a bill to the floor of the Assembly or Senate.
• Legislators can ask questions of sponsors, experts, and supporters/opponents of the bill.

Legislative Process

• Committee hearings.
• Floor actions.
• Return to committees if needed.
• Analysis of the cost of the bill.
• Passage by one house, then sent to the other house.
• Both houses must pass the same version of the bill.
• If different versions, the bill returns to the original house.
• One house must adopt the other's form, or a conference committee resolves differences.
• If passed in the same form by both houses, it goes to the governor.

Governor's Role

• The governor may sign the bill into law or veto it.

Influences on the Legislative Process

• Lobbyists: experts representing groups with economic interests.
• Legislative staff: provide expertise and historical context.
• Governor's staff and administrators.
• Constituents: contact legislators to express opinions on legislation.

Final Action

• Takes place on the floor of the Assembly or Senate.
• If passed in the same form, it goes to the governor.

Factors Shaping Bills and Laws

• Cost (short-term and long-term).
• One-time vs. ongoing expenditures.
• Budget bills and their long-term implications (two year budget bill).
• Simple majority vote for most legislation.
• Two-thirds vote required for bills that raise taxes.
• Party balance: supermajority allows a party to pass bills without input from the minority party.
• Alignment of the governor's party with the legislature.

Personal Factors

• Legislators' expertise and experience in specific areas.
• Constituent interests based on the district they represent (e.g., Silicon Valley = technology, Hollywood = film, Fresno = agriculture).

Interpersonal Relationships

• Relationships with legislators from other areas or houses.
• Need for someone to carry (propose or sponsor) a bill in the other house.

Political Environment

• Pressure from lobbyists, constituencies, timing, outside events, and changing attitudes.

Representation

• Substantive representation vs. descriptive representation.
• Balancing short-term and long-term concerns.
• Balancing personal interests/philosophy with constituent interests.
• Balancing district interests with the best interests of the state.

State's Annual Budget

• Economic plan outlining the state's policy priorities.
• 18-month process from July 1 to June 30 (the state's fiscal year).
• California's immense economy (fifth largest in the world) requires a massive budget and professional operation.

Constituent Service

• Helping constituents with issues (e.g., veterans' benefits, government documents, appointments).
• Strong constituent service can lead to reelection, even if constituents don't always agree with the legislator's votes.

Oversight of the Executive Branch

• Monitoring activities of the executive branch, including cabinet secretaries and other officials working for the governor.
• Questioning the effectiveness and efficiency of programs.
• Holding hearings and questioning witnesses from state agencies.
• Threatening to change policy or withhold funding based on findings.

Legislative Leadership

• Speaker of the Assembly.
• President Pro Tem of the Senate.
• Represent the majority party.
• Influence committee assignments, committee leadership, and negotiations with the governor.