California State Assembly

California State Assembly
Chris die Seele · Public domain · source
Name	California State Assembly
House type	Lower house
Body	California State Legislature
Term limits	12 years
New session	December 5, 2022
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Robert Rivas
Election1	June 30, 2023
Leader2 type	Speaker pro tempore
Leader2	Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Election2	December 5, 2022
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Isaac Bryan
Election3	June 30, 2023
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	James Gallagher
Election4	February 8, 2022
Members	80
Political groups1	Majority (62), , Minority (18)
Last election1	November 8, 2022
Next election1	November 5, 2024
Meeting place	State Assembly Chamber, California State Capitol, Sacramento
Website	https://www.assembly.ca.gov/

California State Assembly. It is the lower house of the California State Legislature, the state's bicameral legislative body, with the California State Senate serving as the upper house. Composed of 80 members elected from districts across the state, it is responsible for crafting and passing legislation on a vast array of state issues. The body convenes at the historic California State Capitol in Sacramento.

History

The origins of the assembly trace back to the first California Constitution, drafted in 1849 following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the California Gold Rush. The first session convened in San Jose in December 1849, before the capital moved permanently to Sacramento. Throughout its history, it has been the site of significant legislative battles, from regulating the powerful Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century to passing pioneering environmental laws like the California Environmental Quality Act. Key political figures such as Jesse M. Unruh and Willie Brown Jr. have shaped its modern operations and political culture.

Membership and elections

Members are elected from single-member districts, each representing approximately 465,000 constituents following the most recent 2020 United States census. Elections are held every two years, coinciding with the statewide general election. Since the passage of Proposition 140 in 1990, members are subject to term limits, currently set at a maximum of 12 years of service. Districts are reapportioned every decade by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, a process established by Proposition 11. Candidates must be United States citizens, residents of California, and at least 18 years old.

Powers and legislative process

The assembly shares equal lawmaking power with the California State Senate, with all bills requiring passage by both chambers before being sent to the Governor of California. It holds the sole constitutional power to initiate revenue bills and possesses the authority to impeach state officials, which are then tried by the senate. The legislative process involves bill introduction, committee hearings in bodies like the Appropriations Committee, and floor votes. The assembly also plays a crucial role in confirming gubernatorial appointments and crafting the annual state budget in conjunction with the Department of Finance.

Leadership and committees

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the California State Assembly, an office held by Robert Rivas. Other key leaders include the Speaker pro tempore, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader. The speaker appoints members to standing committees, which are essential for reviewing legislation; powerful committees include Appropriations, Rules, and Revenue and Taxation. The Assembly Republican Caucus and the California Legislative Democratic Caucus organize their respective members. Day-to-day operations are managed by the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly.

Current session and composition

The current session, the 2023–2024 Legislative Session, began on December 5, 2022. Following the 2022 California State Assembly election, the Democratic Party holds a supermajority with 62 members, while the Republican Party holds 18 seats. This composition gives the Democratic caucus significant power to pass bills, override gubernatorial vetoes, and place constitutional amendments on the ballot. Major legislative priorities in the current session have included addressing homelessness in California, climate policy following the 2022 California wildfires, and modifications to the California Penal Code.

Category:California State Assembly Category:Lower houses of subnational legislatures