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California State Senate

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California State Senate
NameCalifornia State Senate
House typeUpper house
BodyCalifornia State Legislature
Term limits12 years
New sessionDecember 5, 2022
Leader1 typePresident
Leader1Eleni Kounalakis
Party1(Democratic)
Election12019
Leader2 typePresident pro tempore
Leader2Mike McGuire
Party2(Democratic)
Election22024
Leader3 typeMajority Leader
Leader3Lena Gonzalez
Party3(Democratic)
Election32024
Leader4 typeMinority Leader
Leader4Brian Jones
Party4(Republican)
Election42023
Seats40
Political groups1Majority (32), Minority (8)
Voting systemFirst-past-the-post
Last election1November 8, 2022
Next election1November 5, 2024
Meeting placeState Senate Chamber, California State Capitol, Sacramento, California
Websitehttps://www.senate.ca.gov/

California State Senate. It is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the state's bicameral legislative body. The Senate consists of 40 members, each representing a district of approximately one million constituents. Its powers include concurring on legislation, confirming gubernatorial appointments, and trying impeachments brought by the California State Assembly.

History

The California State Senate was first convened in 1849 following the adoption of the state's first Constitution of California after the Bear Flag Revolt and the Mexican–American War. The early Senate met in various locations, including San Jose and Vallejo, before the capital was permanently established in Sacramento. Significant historical developments include the passage of the California Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the implementation of term limits via Proposition 140 in 1990. The body has been the site of notable political careers, including those of Hiram Johnson, Dianne Feinstein, and Kamala Harris.

Membership and elections

Members of the Senate are elected to four-year terms, with half of the seats contested in each biennial statewide election. Elections are conducted using a first-past-the-post system within single-member districts drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. To be eligible, a candidate must be a registered voter and resident of their district for at least one year, and a resident of California for three years. Notable recent electoral contests include the 2018 victory of Melissa Melendez and the 2020 special election of Sydney Kamlager.

Powers and duties

The Senate shares legislative power with the California State Assembly, with all bills requiring passage by both houses before being sent to the Governor of California. It holds exclusive authority to confirm or reject appointments made by the governor to major state agencies, commissions, and the judiciary, including the California Supreme Court. The Senate also possesses the sole power to try impeachments of state officials, such as judges, initiated by the Assembly, and must provide advice and consent on certain interstate compacts and federal matters.

Leadership and committees

The presiding officer is the Lieutenant Governor of California, currently Eleni Kounalakis, who may cast tie-breaking votes. Day-to-day leadership is exercised by the President pro tempore of the California State Senate, an office held by Mike McGuire. Other key leaders include the Majority Leader, Lena Gonzalez, and the Minority Leader, Brian Jones. The Senate operates through a system of standing committees, such as the powerful Appropriations Committee and the Judiciary Committee, which review and amend legislation.

Current composition and session

Following the 2022 California State Senate election, the Democratic Party holds a supermajority of 32 seats, while the Republican Party holds 8. The current legislative session began on December 5, 2022. Key legislation passed in recent sessions includes bills addressing climate change, housing affordability, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable members in the current session include Scott Wiener, Shannon Grove, and Anthony Portantino.

Capitol and facilities

The Senate convenes in its chamber in the west wing of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The chamber features a distinctive semi-circular layout and historic decor. Senate staff and members also utilize the adjacent Capitol Annex and the legislative office buildings, including the Jesse M. Unruh Building. The California State Library and the California State Archives provide critical research support for legislative activities.

Category:California State Senate Category:State upper houses in the United States Category:1849 establishments in California