California State Legislature

California State Legislature
source
Name	California State Legislature
Legislature	2023–24 session
House type	Bicameral
Houses	California State Senate, California State Assembly
Leader1 type	President of the Senate
Leader1	Eleni Kounalakis
Party1	(D)
Election1	2019
Leader2 type	President pro tempore of the Senate
Leader2	Mike McGuire
Party2	(D)
Election2	2024
Leader3 type	Speaker of the Assembly
Leader3	Robert Rivas
Party3	(D)
Election3	2023
Members	120 voting members, 40 senators, 80 assemblymembers
House1	Senate
House2	Assembly
Meeting place	California State Capitol, Sacramento
Website	http://www.legislature.ca.gov/

California State Legislature. It is the state legislature for the U.S. state of California, based in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. It is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the California State Assembly, and an upper house, the California State Senate. The legislature, alongside the Governor of California, holds the primary lawmaking power for the state, enacting statutes, passing the state budget, and confirming gubernatorial appointments.

History

The legislature was first convened in 1849 following the adoption of the Constitution of California in the lead-up to California's admission to the Union in 1850. Its early sessions were held in San Jose, Vallejo, and Benicia before permanently moving to Sacramento in 1854. Significant reforms were enacted through Proposition 140 in 1990, which established term limits for legislators. The institution's history is marked by periods of influence from the Southern Pacific Railroad, progressive reforms under governors like Hiram Johnson, and the rise of the modern Democratic Party dominance in the late 20th century.

Structure and composition

The legislature is composed of two chambers: the 40-member California State Senate and the 80-member California State Assembly. Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the seats contested in each general election, while assemblymembers serve two-year terms. Members are elected from single-member districts drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission following each United States Census. The current composition, following the 2022 California elections, features a supermajority of the Democratic Party in both chambers, with the Republican Party holding a small minority.

Powers and duties

Its constitutional powers include enacting laws on all subjects not preempted by the United States Constitution or federal law, passing the annual state budget which requires a two-thirds majority vote, and levying taxes. The legislature also holds the power to override gubernatorial vetoes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber, propose amendments to the Constitution of California for voter ratification, and confirm or reject key appointments made by the Governor of California, such as to the California Supreme Court and various state agencies.

Legislative process

A bill may be introduced in either chamber by a member, with the exception of revenue bills which must originate in the California State Assembly. Following introduction and committee review, a bill must pass three readings in its house of origin before moving to the second house for a similar process. After passing both the California State Assembly and the California State Senate in identical form, the bill is sent to the Governor of California, who may sign it, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. The legislature may also place constitutional amendments or initiative referendums directly on the ballot for voters.

Leadership and committees

Leadership in the Senate includes the Lieutenant Governor of California, who serves as President of the Senate, and the elected President pro tempore of the California State Senate, currently Mike McGuire. The California State Assembly is led by the Speaker of the California State Assembly, currently Robert Rivas. Each chamber maintains a system of standing committees, such as the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee, which conduct hearings, amend legislation, and exercise significant control over the legislative agenda.

Current session and membership

The 2023–24 legislative session is underway, with Democrats holding 62 seats in the California State Assembly and 32 seats in the California State Senate, granting them supermajority status. Key legislative priorities have included addressing homelessness in California, climate policy following the state's severe drought, and modifications to the California Environmental Quality Act. Notable members include Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and minority leaders like James Gallagher in the Assembly.

Category:California State Legislature Category:State legislatures of the United States