Prepared by
The Legislative Counsel
State of California
comments@leginfo.public.ca.gov
October 2001
Table of Contents
How do I Gain Access to the Internet?
What Legislative Information is Available?
How do I Access the Legislative Information?
Appendix A: Overview of the Legislative Process
Appendix B: Glossary of Legislative Terms
Appendix C: Glossary of Internet Terms
Information regarding matters pending before the Legislature has been available to the citizens of California in printed form since 1849. That same information is now available on the Internet pursuant to California law.
This Public Access guide is designed to assist the general public in obtaining
legislative information from the Public Access computer over the Internet. The
guide also provides the following appendices: Overview
of the Legislative Process, Glossary of Legislative
Terms, and Glossary of Internet Terms. A review
of the guide, including the appendices, should be completed before attempting
to look at legislative information on the Internet. This guide is also available
on the Internet.
TOP HOME
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a worldwide computer network that is made up of many interconnected networks. It is the fastest growing form of communication in history. Anyone can use the Internet. It is possible to send and receive electronic mail (E-mail) and retrieve information on a variety of subjects.
The Internet was created about 25 years ago by the U.S. Department of Defense as an experimental network designed to support military research. At that time it was called ARPANet (Advanced Research Projects Administration Network). Over the years, many new networks were established. For example, one was established by the National Science Foundation to allow colleges and universities to access the ARPANet for educational use.
From these beginnings, the network has grown to a point where there are now
more than 6 million networks interconnected with the Internet and more than
40 million users. Internet users include government agencies, universities,
researchers, private companies, and individuals. Internet access is possible
from almost any location in the United States and in over 40 other countries
around the world.
The following are several books that will provide you with information about the Internet:
Overview of Legislative Process
The process of government by which bills are considered and laws enacted by the California State Legislature is commonly referred to as the legislative process. The California
State Legislature is made up of two houses: the Senate and the Assembly. There are 40 Senators
and 80 Assembly Members representing the people of the State of California. The Legislature
maintains a legislative calendar governing the introduction and processing of the legislative
measures during its two-year regular session.
Idea
All legislation begins as an idea or concept. Ideas and concepts can come from a variety of sources. The process begins when a Senator or Assembly Member decides to author a
bill.
The Author
A legislator sends the idea for the bill to the Office of the Legislative Counsel, where it
is drafted into bill form. The draft of the bill is returned to the legislator for introduction. If the author is a Senator, the bill is introduced in the Senate. If the author is an Assembly Member, the bill is introduced in the Assembly.
First Reading/Introduction
A bill is introduced or read the first time when the bill number, the name of the author,
and the descriptive title of the bill are read on the floor of the house. The bill is then sent to the Office of State Publishing. No bill except the Budget Bill may be acted upon until 30 days have passed from the date of its introduction.
Committee Hearings
After introduction, a bill goes to the rules committee of the house, where it is a assigned to the appropriate policy committee for its first hearing. Bills are assigned to policy committees according to subject area. For example, a Senate bill dealing with health care facilities would first be assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for policy review. Bills that require the expenditure of funds must also be heard in the fiscal committees, Senate Appropriations and Assembly Appropriations. Each committee is made up of a specified number of Senators or Assembly Members.
During the committee hearing the author presents the bill to the committee, and testimony
may be heard in support or opposition to the bill. The committee then votes on whether to pass the bill out of committee, or that it be passed as amended. Bills may be amended several times.
It takes a majority vote of the committee membership for a bill to be passed and sent to the next committee or to the floor.
Each house maintains a schedule of legislative committee hearings. Prior to a bill's hearing, a bill analysis is prepared that explains the intended effect of the bill on current law, together with background information. Typically the analysis also lists organizations that support or oppose the bill.
Second and Third Reading
Bills passed by committees are read a second time on the floor in the house of origin and then assigned to third reading. Bill analyses are also prepared prior to third reading. When a bill is read the third time it is explained by the author, discussed by the Members, and voted on by a roll call vote. Bills that require an appropriation, or that take effect immediately, ordinarily require 27 votes in the Senate and 54 votes in the Assembly to be passed. Other bills generally require 21 votes in the Senate and 41 votes in the Assembly. If a bill is defeated, the Member may seek reconsideration and another vote.
Repeat Process in Other House
Once the bill has been approved by the house of origin it proceeds to the other house where the procedure described above is repeated.
Resolution of Differences
If a bill is amended in the second house, it must go back to the house of origin for concurrence, meaning agreement on those amendments. If the house of origin does not concur in those amendments, the bill is referred to a two-house conference committee to resolve the differences. Three members of the committee are from the Senate and three are from the Assembly. If a compromise is reached, the bill is returned to both houses for a vote.
Governor
If both houses approve a bill, it goes to the Governor. The Governor has three choices: sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without his or her signature, or veto it. A governor's veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both houses. Most enacted bills go into effect on the first day of January of the next year. Urgency bills, and certain other measures, take effect immediately after they are enacted into law.
California Law
Each bill that is passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor is assigned a chapter number by the Secretary of State. These chaptered bills are statutes, and ordinarily become part of the California Codes. The California Codes are a comprehensive collection of laws grouped by subject matter.
The California Constitution sets forth the fundamental laws by which the State of California is governed. All amendments to the California Constitution come about as a result of constitutional amendments approved by the voters at a statewide election.
Across the Desk
The official act of introducing a bill or resolution. The measure is given to the Chief Clerk or his or her representative at the Assembly Desk in the Assembly Chamber or to the Secretary of the Senate or his or her representative in the Senate Chamber. The measure then receives a number and becomes a public document available from the bill room (or at www.leginfo.ca.gov). Each proposed amendment to a measure also must be put across the desk in the Assembly or Senate in order to be considered for adoption.
Act
A bill passed by the Legislature and enacted into law.
Adjournment
Termination of a meeting, occurring at the close of each legislative day upon the completion of business, with the hour and day of the next meeting being set prior to adjournment.
Adjournment Sine Die
Final adjournment of the Legislature; regular sessions of the Legislature, and any special session not previously adjourned, are adjourned sine die at midnight on November 30 of each even-numbered year.
Adoption
Approval or acceptance; usually applied to amendments, resolutions, or motions.
Amendment
Proposal to change the text of a bill after it has been introduced. Amendments must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel for drafting or approval.
Author's amendments - Amendments proposed by the bill's author. Author's amendments to a bill may be adopted on the floor prior to the committee hearing on the bill with the committee chair's approval.
Hostile amendments - Amendments proposed by another member and opposed by the author in a committee hearing or during Assembly or Senate floor consideration.
Analysis of the Budget Bill
The Legislative Analyst's comprehensive examination of the Governor's budget, available to legislators and the public about six weeks after the Governor submits the budget to the Legislature.
Appropriation
The amount of money made available for expenditure by a specific entity for a specific purpose, from the General Fund or other designated state fund or account.
Appropriations Limit
A limitation in the California Constitution on the maximum amount of tax proceeds that state or local government may appropriate in a fiscal year. The limit is based on 1986-87 fiscal year appropriations, and is adjusted annually.
Approved by the Governor
Signature of the Governor on a bill passed by the Legislature.
Archives
Refers to both location and contents of public records kept by the Secretary of State, including copies of all measures considered at each session, journals, committee reports, and documents of historic value.
Assembly
The house of the California Legislature consisting of 80 members, elected from districts determined on the basis of population. Two Assembly districts are situated within each Senate district.
Assistant Chief Clerk
Performs the duties of the Chief Clerk of the Assembly in his or her absence.
Author
Member of the Legislature who introduces a legislative measure.
BCP (Budget Change Proposal)
A document prepared by a state agency, and submitted to the Department of Finance, to propose and document budget changes to support operations of the agency in the next fiscal year; used in preparing the Governor's budget.
Bicameral
Refers to a legislature consisting of two houses (see Unicameral).
Bill
A proposed law, introduced during a session for consideration by the Legislature, and identified numerically in order of presentation; also, a reference that may include joint and concurrent resolutions and constitutional amendments.
Bill Analysis
A document prepared by committee and/or floor analysis staff prior to hearing the bill in that committee or on the floor of the Assembly or Senate. It explains how a bill would change current law and sometimes identifies major interest groups in support or opposition.
Blue Pencil
The California Constitution grants the Governor "line item veto" authority to reduce or eliminate any item of appropriation in any bill including the Budget Bill. Years ago the Governor used an editor's blue pencil for the task.
Bond Bill (general obligation bonds)
A bill authorizing the sale of state general obligation bonds to finance specified projects or activities. Subsequent to enactment, a general obligation bond bill must be approved by the voters.
Budget
Proposed expenditure of state moneys for the next fiscal year, presented by the Governor in January of each year for consideration by the Legislature; compiled by the Department of Finance, in conjunction with state agency and department heads.
Budget Act
The Budget Bill after it has been enacted into law.
Budget Bill
The bill setting forth the spending proposal for the next fiscal year, containing the budget submitted to the Legislature by the Governor.
Budget Change Proposal
See BCP.
Budget Year
The fiscal year addressed by a proposed budget, beginning July 1 and ending
June 30.
COLA
Cost-of-living adjustment.
Cal-SPAN (The California Channel)
The cable television channel that televises Assembly and Senate proceedings.
Call of the House
On motion from the floor to place a call of the house, the presiding officer directs the Sergeant-at-Arms to lock the chambers and bring in the absent Members (by arrest, if necessary) to vote on a measure under consideration. Action is not taken on an item under call until the call is lifted, at which time it must be immediately voted on.
Call the Absentees
Order by the presiding officer directing the reading clerk to call the names of Members who have not responded to the roll call.
Capital Outlay
Generally, expenditures to acquire or construct real property.
Capitol Press Corps
Those members of the press who cover events in the Capitol.
Casting Vote
The deciding vote the Lieutenant Governor may cast in the case of a tie vote in the Senate.
Caucus
(1) A closed meeting of legislators of one's own party.
(2) Any group of legislators who coalesce formally because of their common interest in specific issues.
Chair
The current presiding officer, usually in the context of a committee hearing.
Chamber
The Assembly or Senate location where floor sessions are held.
Chapter
When a bill has been passed by the Legislature and enacted into law, the Secretary of State assigns the bill a "chapter number" such as "Chapter 123, Statutes of 1992," which is subsequently used to refer to the measure in place of the bill number.
Chapter Out
When, during a calendar year, two or more bills amend the same section of law and more than one of those bills becomes law, the bill enacted last (and therefore given a higher chapter number) becomes law and prevails over the bill or bills previously enacted (see Double Joint).
Check-in Session
Certain weekdays when legislators do not meet in formal legislative sessions, they are required to "check in" with the Chief Clerk of the Assembly or Secretary of the Senate. Mondays and Thursdays are ordinarily floor session days. Check-in days are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Chief Clerk
An Assembly employee elected by Assembly Members at the beginning of every two-year session to serve as principal parliamentarian and record keeper of the Assembly. Responsible for all Assembly daily and weekly publications.
Coauthor
A member of either house whose name is added to a bill as a coauthor by amending the bill, usually indicating support for the proposal.
Codes
Bound volumes of law organized by subject matter. The code sections to be added, amended, or repealed by a bill are identified in the title of the bill.
Committee of the Whole
The Assembly or Senate meeting as a committee for the purpose of receiving information.
Companion Bill
An identical bill introduced in the other house. This procedure is far more common in Congress than in the California Legislature.
Concurrence
The approval by the house of origin of a bill as amended in the other house. If the author is unwilling to move the bill as amended by the other house, the author requests "nonconcurrence" in the bill and asks for the formation of a conference committee.
Concurrent Resolution
A measure introduced in one house that, if approved, must be sent to the other house for approval. The Governor's signature is not required. These measures usually involve the internal business of the Legislature.
Conferees
Members of a conference committee.
Conference Committee
Usually composed of three legislators (two voting in the majority on the disputed issue, one voting in the minority) from each house, a conference committee meets in public session to forge one version of a bill when the house of origin has refused to concur in amendments to the bill adopted by the other house. For the bill to pass, the conference committee version must be approved by both Assembly and Senate. Assembly conferees are chosen by the Speaker; Senate conferees are chosen by the Senate Committee on Rules.
Confirm
The process whereby one or both houses approve the Governor's appointments to executive offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
Consent Calendar
File containing bills that received no dissenting votes in committee.
Constituent
A person who resides within the district represented by a legislator.
Constitutional Amendment
A resolution proposing a change to the California Constitution. It may be presented by the Legislature or by initiative, and is adopted upon voter approval at a statewide election.
Consultant
Ordinarily, a professional staff person who works for a legislative committee.
Contingent Effect
Section in a bill indicating that it is to become operative only upon the enactment of another measure (to be distinguished from double jointing).
Contingent Funds
The funds from which moneys are appropriated by the respective houses for their operating expenses.
Convene
To assemble a meeting. Each house of the Legislature usually convenes twice a week.
Daily File
Publication produced by each house for each day the house is in session. The publication provides information about bills to be considered at upcoming committee hearings and bills that are eligible for consideration during the next scheduled floor session. Pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a), any bill to be heard in committee must be noticed in the Daily File for four days, including weekend days. The Daily File also contains useful information about committee assignments and the legislative calendar.
Daily History
Produced by the Assembly and Senate respectively the day after each house has met. The History lists specific actions taken on legislation. Each measure acted upon in that house the previous day is listed in numerical order.
Daily Journal
Produced by the Assembly and Senate respectively the day after a floor session. Contains roll call votes on bills heard in policy committees and bills considered on the floor, and other official action taken by the body. Any official messages from the Governor are also included. A Member may seek approval to publish a letter in the Journal on a specific legislative matter. At the end of a legislative session, the Journals are bound.
Desk
The long desk in front of the presiding officer's rostrum where much of the clerical work of the body is conducted. Also, a generic term for the staff and offices of the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly.
Desk Is Clear
Statement by the presiding officer that there is no further business before the house.
Digest
Prepared by the Legislative Counsel, it summarizes the effect of a proposed bill on current law. It appears on the first page of the printed bill.
District
The area of the state represented by a legislator. Each district is determined by population and is designated by a number. There are 40 Senate districts and 80 Assembly districts.
District Bill
A bill that generally affects only the district of the Member of the Legislature who introduced the bill.
Do Pass
Motion that, if adopted by a committee, moves a bill to the floor or to the next committee.
Do Pass As Amended
Committee motion that a bill be passed with the recommendation that the floor adopt specified amendments.
Double Joint
Amendments to a bill providing that the amended bill does not override the provisions of another bill, where both bills propose to amend the same section of law (see Chapter Out).
Double Refer
Legislation recommended for referral to two policy committees for hearing rather than one. Both committees must approve the measure to keep it moving in the process. Typically used for sensitive subject areas that transcend the jurisdiction of one policy committee. Bill referrals are made by the Assembly and Senate Committees on Rules for their respective houses.
Dropped
Author has decided not to pursue the passage of the bill.
Enacting Clause
The following phrase at the beginning of the text of each bill: "The people of the State of California do enact as follows."
Engrossment
When a bill is amended, the printed form of the bill is proofread by staff to assure that the amendments are inserted properly. After being proofread, the bill is "correctly engrossed" and is thereupon deemed to be in proper form.
Enrollment
Whenever a bill passes both houses of the Legislature, it is ordered enrolled. In enrollment, the bill is again proofread for accuracy and then delivered to the Governor. The "enrolled bill" contains the complete text of the bill with the dates of passage certified by the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. A resolution, when enrolled, is filed directly with the Secretary of State.
Ex Officio
(literally: out of or because of one's office) The act of holding one office by reason of holding another. For example, the Lieutenant Governor is, ex officio, a member of the Regents of the University of California.
Executive Session
A committee meeting restricted to committee members and specifically invited persons.
Expunge
A motion by which an action taken in a floor session is deleted from the Daily Journal (for example, "Expunge the record").
Extraordinary Session
A special legislative session called by the Governor by proclamation to address only those issues specified in the proclamation; also referred to as a special session. Measures introduced in these sessions are numbered chronologically with a lower case "x" after the number (for example, AB 28x).
File
See Daily File.
File Number
The number assigned to a measure in the Assembly or Senate Daily File. The file number changes each day as bills move on or off the Daily File. File numbers are assigned to measures on second and third reading; in conference; unfinished business (a bill amended in the other house and awaiting concurrence in amended form); and Governor's appointments. Legislation is taken up on the Assembly or Senate floor in chronological order according to file number. Items considered on the floor are ordinarily referred to by file number.
Final History
The publication printed at the end of every session showing the final disposition of all measures.
Finance Letter
Revisions to the Budget Bill proposed by the Department of Finance and addressed to appropriate committee chairs in the Assembly and Senate.
First Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. The first reading of a bill occurs when it is introduced.
Fiscal Bill
Generally, a measure that contains an appropriation of funds or requires a state agency to incur additional expense. The Legislative Counsel's designation of whether a bill is a fiscal bill appears at the end of the Digest found in the printed bill. Fiscal bills must be heard by the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees in addition to the policy committees in each house.
Fiscal Committee
The Appropriations Committee in the Assembly and the Appropriations Committee in the Senate, to which each fiscal bill is referred upon approval by policy committee. If the fiscal committee approves a bill, it then moves to the floor.
Fiscal Deadline
The date on the legislative calendar by which all bills with fiscal effect must have been taken up in a policy committee and referred to a fiscal committee. Any fiscal bill missing the deadline is considered "dead" unless it receives a rule waiver allowing further consideration.
Fiscal Year
The 12-month period on which the state budget is planned, beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. The federal fiscal year begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year.
Floor
(1) The Assembly or Senate Chamber.
(2) The term used to describe the location of a bill or the type of session, connoting action to be taken by the house. Matters may be said to be "on the floor."
Floor Manager
The legislator responsible for taking up a measure on the floor. This is always the bill's author in the house of origin, and a Member of the other house designated by the author when the bill is considered by the other house. The name of the floor manager in the other house appears in parentheses after the author's name in the second or third reading section of the Daily File.
Floor Pass
A visitor may not observe the Assembly or Senate from the rear of the chamber without a floor pass. Assembly passes are issued by the Speaker's office; Senate passes are issued by the President pro Tempore's office. Passes are not required for the viewing area in the gallery above the chambers.
Foreign Amendments
Amendments not drafted by the Office of Legislative Counsel.
Four-Day File Notice
As set forth in Joint Rule 62(a), the requirement that each bill in the first committee of reference be noticed in the Daily File for four days prior to the committee hearing at which it will be considered. At a second or subsequent committee of reference, a notice of only two days is required.
Germaneness
Referring to the legislative rule requirement that an amendment to a bill be relevant to the subject matter of the bill as introduced. The Legislative Counsel may be asked to opine on germaneness, but the matter is subject to final determination by the full Assembly, or the Senate Committee on Rules.
Governor's Budget
The spending plan submitted by the Governor in January for the next fiscal year (see Budget).
Grandfathering
When a preexisting situation is exempted from the requirements of a new law.
Handbook
The 3" x 5-3/4" hardbound edition of "California Legislature" published for each two-year legislative session. Contains indexed versions of the Assembly, Senate, and Joint Rules; biographies of members; and other useful information. Published by the Chief Clerk of the Assembly and Secretary of the Senate.
Hearing
A committee meeting convened for the purpose of gathering information on a subject or considering specific legislative measures.
Held in Committee
Status of a bill that fails to receive sufficient affirmative votes to pass out of committee.
Hijack
Adoption of amendments that delete the contents of a bill and insert provisions on a different subject (see Germaneness). May occur with or without the author's permission.
House
In California, refers to either the Senate or the Assembly.
Inactive File
The portion of the Daily File containing legislation that is ready for floor consideration, but, for a variety of reasons, is dead or dormant. An author may move a bill to the inactive file, and move it off the inactive file at a later date. During the final weeks of the legislative session, measures may be moved there by the leadership as a method of encouraging authors to take up their bills promptly.
Initiative
A legislative proposal to change statutory law or the California Constitution, submitted directly by members of the public rather than by the Legislature, and requiring voter approval at a statewide election. To qualify for a statewide ballot, a statutory initiative must receive signatures equal to 5 percent, and a constitutional amendment initiative must receive signatures equal to 8 percent, of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.
Inquiry System
A database containing bill analyses, bill status, bill text, votes, and other useful information for bill tracking and research by legislative employees in Sacramento and district offices. The system is maintained by the Legislative Data Center, which is a part of the Office of Legislative Counsel.
Interim
The period of time between the end of a legislative year and the beginning of the next legislative year. The legislative year ends on August 31 in even-numbered years and in mid-September in odd-numbered years.
Interim Study
The assignment of the subject matter of a bill to the appropriate committee for study during the period the Legislature is not in session.
Joint Committee
A committee composed of equal numbers of Assembly Members and Senators.
Joint Resolution
A resolution expressing the Legislature's opinion about a matter within the jurisdiction of the federal government, which is forwarded to Congress for its information. Requires the approval of both Assembly and Senate but does not require signature of the Governor.
Joint Session
The Assembly and Senate meeting together, usually in the Assembly Chamber. The purpose ordinarily is to receive special information such as the Governor's State of the State address.
Journal
See Daily Journal.
Laws
The rules adopted by formal governmental action that govern our lives in various respects.
Lay On The Table
A motion to temporarily postpone consideration of a matter before a committee or the house, such that the matter may later be brought up for consideration by a motion to "take from the table."
Legislative Advocate
An individual (commonly known as a lobbyist) engaged to present to legislators the views of a group or organization. The law requires formal registration with the Secretary of State if an individual's lobbying activity exceeds 25 contacts with decision makers in a two-month period.
Legislative Analyst
The Legislative Analyst, who is a legislative appointee, and his or her staff provide thorough, nonpartisan analysis of the budget submitted by the Governor; also analyze the fiscal impact of other legislation and prepare analyses of ballot measures published in the state ballot pamphlet.
Legislative Counsel
The Legislative Counsel (who is appointed jointly by both houses) and his or her legal staff are responsible for, among other things, drafting all bills and amendments, preparing the Digest for each bill, providing legal opinions, and representing the Legislature in legal proceedings.
Legislative Counsel's Digest
See Digest.
Legislative Data Center
Department of the Office of Legislative Counsel that maintains the Inquiry System, operates the database under which legislation is drafted and conveyed to the Office of State Publishing to be printed, and otherwise provides technological support to the Legislature.
Lieutenant Governor
The President of the Senate, as so designated by the California Constitution, allowing him or her to preside over the Senate and cast a vote only in the event of a tie. If the Governor cannot assume his or her duties or is absent from the state, the Lieutenant Governor assumes that office for the remainder of the term or during the absence.
Line Item Veto
See Blue Pencil.
Lobbyist
See Legislative Advocate.
Lobbyist Book
The Directory of Lobbyists, Lobbying Firms, and Lobbyist Employers published every legislative session by the Secretary of State; available to the public for $12.00 from the Legislative Bill Room at the State Capitol, or from the Secretary of State's office at www.ss.ca.gov/prd/ld/cover.htm. Photos and addresses of lobbyists are included with a list of the clients each represents. Employers of lobbyists are also listed alphabetically.
Lower House
The Assembly.
Majority Floor Leader
Assembly Member who is an issues and political strategist for the Assembly's majority party, second in command to the Assembly Speaker. Elected by the members of the Assembly's majority party.
Majority Leader
Senator who is an issues and political strategist for the Senate's majority party, second in command to the Senate President pro Tempore. Elected by the members of the Senate's majority party.
Majority Vote
A vote of more than half of the legislative body considering a measure. Constituted by 41 votes in the Assembly, and by 21 votes in the Senate.
Majority Whip
One of the members of the majority party's leadership team in the Assembly or Senate; responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for legislation on the floor.
Mason's Manual
The reference manual that governs matters of parliamentary procedure that are not covered by the Legislature's own written rules.
May Revision
Occurring in early May, the updated estimate of revenues and expenditures that replaces the estimates contained in the Governor's budget submitted in January.
Measure
A bill, resolution, or constitutional amendment that is considered by the Legislature.
Minority Floor Leader
The highest-ranking minority party post in each house; chief policy and political strategist for the minority party.
Minority Whip
One of the members of the minority party's leadership team in the Assembly or Senate; responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for legislation on the floor.
Minutes
An accurate record of the proceedings (see Daily Journal).
Motion
A formal proposal for action made by a legislator during a committee hearing or floor session.
Nonfiscal Bill
A measure not having specified financial impact on the state and, therefore, not required to be heard in an Assembly or Senate fiscal committee as it moves through the legislative process. Nonfiscal bills are subject to different legislative calendar deadlines than fiscal bills.
Officers
Those Members and employees of the Legislature who are elected by the membership of each house at the beginning of each session to perform specific functions on behalf of the house. Assembly officers include the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, Chief Clerk, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Senate officers include the President pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, and Sergeant-at-Arms.
On Call
A roll call vote in a committee or an Assembly or Senate floor session that has occurred but has not yet been concluded or formally announced. Members may continue to vote or change their votes as long as a measure remains "on call." Calls are usually placed at the request of a bill's author in an effort to gain votes. Calls can be lifted by request any time during the committee hearing or floor session, but cannot be carried over into the next legislative day.
On File
A bill on the second or third reading file of the Assembly or Senate Daily File.
Out of Order
A parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer of a committee or the house that a matter is not, at that time, appropriate for consideration by the body.
Override
Enactment of a bill despite the Governor's veto, by a vote of two thirds of the members of each house (27 votes in the Senate and 54 votes in the Assembly).
Parliamentary Inquiry
A procedural question posed by a legislator during a committee hearing or floor session. A member must be recognized for this purpose and the question answered by the committee chair or presiding officer.
Pass on File
A bill is taken up during a floor session by its author or floor manager according to its order in the Assembly or Senate Daily File. An author may choose to "pass on file," thus temporarily giving up his or her opportunity to take up a measure on the floor.
Passage
Adoption of a measure by the Assembly or the Senate.
Per Diem
(literally: per day) Daily living expense payment made to legislators when a house is in session.
Petition
A formal request submitted to the Legislature by an individual or group of individuals.
Point of Order
A request that the presiding officer remedy a breach of order or of the rules.
Point of Personal Privilege
Assertion by a Member that his or her rights, reputation, or conduct have been impugned, entitling the Member to repudiate the allegations.
Postpone
A motion to delay action on a matter before the house.
President of the Senate
See Lieutenant Governor.
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
(literally: for the time) Highest-ranking member of the Senate; also chairs the Senate Committee on Rules. Elected by Senators at the beginning of each two-year session.
Presiding
Managing the proceedings during a floor session. In the Assembly, the presiding officer can be the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, or any other Assembly Member appointed by the Speaker. In the Senate, the presiding officer can be the President, President pro Tempore, or any other Senator appointed by the President pro Tempore.
Press Conference
A presentation of information to a group of reporters. Press conferences are frequently held in Room 1190 of the Capitol, the Governor's press room, which is available to Members on a reservation basis (445-4571).
Previous Question
If a Member seeks to cut off all further debate on a measure, he or she may call the previous question to seek to compel the body to vote immediately on the issue.
Principal Coauthor
A Member who is so designated on a bill or other measure, indicating that the Member is a primary supporter of the measure.
Privilege of the Floor
Permission given, by the presiding officer, to view the proceedings from the floor of the Chamber, rather than from the gallery. Members request that permission on behalf of constituents or other guests.
Put Over
A motion to delay action on a measure until a future date.
Quorum
A simple majority of the membership of a committee or the Assembly or Senate; the minimum number of legislators needed to begin conducting official business. The absence of a quorum is grounds for immediate adjournment of a committee hearing or floor session.
Quorum Call
Transmitting the message that members are needed to establish a quorum so that proceedings may begin.
Reading
Presentation of a bill before the house by reading its number, author, and title. A bill is on either first, second, or third reading until it is passed by both houses.
Reapportionment
Revising the allocation of congressional seats based on census results. Also used to refer to redistricting (the revision of legislative district boundaries) to reflect census results.
Recess
(1) An official pause in a committee hearing or floor session that halts the proceedings for a period of time but does not have the finality of adjournment.
(2) A break of more than four days in the regular session schedule such as the "Easter recess."
Reconsideration
A motion giving the opportunity to take another vote on a matter previously decided in a committee hearing or floor session.
Referendum
The method, used by members of the public, by which a measure adopted by the Legislature may be submitted to the electorate for a vote. A referendum petition must be signed by electors equal in number to 5 percent of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.
Rescind
A motion to revoke an action previously taken.
Resolution
See Concurrent Resolution and Joint Resolution.
Roll Call
Recording the vote of each member of a committee or of the full Assembly or Senate. Committee roll calls are conducted by the committee secretary, who calls each member's name in alphabetical order with the name of the chair called last. Assembly roll calls are conducted electronically, with each Member pushing a button from his or her assigned seat. Senate roll calls are conducted by the Reading Clerk, who reads each Senator's name in alphabetical order.
Rule Waiver
Exemption to the Assembly, Senate, or Joint Rules, for which formal permission must be granted.
Rules
Principles formally adopted to govern the operation of either or both houses. These include Standing Rules of the Assembly, Standing Rules of the Senate, and Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly.
Second Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. Second reading occurs after a bill has been reported to the floor from committee.
Second Reading File
The portion of the Daily File that lists measures that have been reported out of committee and are ready for consideration on the floor. Measures stay on the second reading file for one day before moving to the third reading portion of the File.
Secretary of the Senate
A Senate employee serving as principal parliamentarian and record keeper for the Senate, elected by Senators at the beginning of each two-year session. The Senate Secretary and his or her staff are responsible for publishing the Senate daily and weekly publications.
Section
Ordinarily, a portion of the California Codes or other statutory law; alternatively, a portion of the text of a bill. The text of code sections is set forth in bills as proposed to be amended, repealed, or added.
Senate
The house of the California Legislature consisting of 40 members elected from districts apportioned on the basis of population, one-half of whom are elected or re-elected every two years for four-year terms.
Sergeant-At-Arms
Employee responsible for maintaining order and providing security for the Legislature. The Chief Sergeant-at-Arms in each house is elected by the Members of that house at the beginning of every legislative session.
Session
The period during which the Legislature meets. The Legislature may meet in either regular or special (extraordinary) session.
Short Committee
A hearing of a committee attended by less than a quorum of the members of the committee.
Sine Die
See Adjournment Sine Die.
Speaker
The presiding officer of the Assembly, elected by the membership of the Assembly at the beginning of the two-year session. This is the highest-ranking Member of the Assembly.
Speaker Pro Tempore
Member, appointed to this office by the Speaker, who presides over a floor session of the Assembly at the request of the Speaker.
Special Order of Business
Occasionally a bill is of such importance that advance notice is given as to when it will be considered by the Assembly or Senate. Notice is given during a floor session by requesting unanimous consent to set the bill as a special order of business on a specific date and time. This assures adequate time for debate and allows all Members the opportunity to be present.
Special Session
See Extraordinary Session.
Sponsor
The Member of the Legislature, private individual, or group who develops a measure and advocates its passage.
Spot Bill
A bill that proposes nonsubstantive amendments to a code section in a particular subject; introduced to assure that a bill will be available, subsequent to the deadline to introduce bills, for revision by amendments that are germane to the subject of the bill.
State Auditor
Head of the Bureau of State Audits, which conducts financial and performance audits of the state and local government agencies at the request of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
State Mandate
State legislative enactment or administrative regulation that mandates a new program or higher level of service on the part of a local government, the costs of which are required by the California Constitution to be reimbursed.
Statutes
Enacted bills, which are chaptered by the Secretary of State in the order in which they become law.
Stop the Clock
The term used to describe the process of continuing legislative business after the passage of a deadline imposed by legislative rule.
Subcommittee
A subgroup of a full committee, appointed to perform work on one or more functions of the committee.
Summary Digests
Digests of each bill enacted in a two-year session, as prepared and compiled by the Legislative Counsel. The measures are listed by chapter number, reflecting the order in which they were signed into law.
Suspend the Constitution
A motion to waive requirements that the California Constitution imposes, but permits to be waived in a specified manner. A motion to suspend requires an extraordinary vote.
Table
See Lay on the Table.
Tax Levy
Any bill that imposes, repeals, or materially alters a state tax. The Legislative Counsel indicates in the title and Digest of the bill whether the bill is a tax levy.
Third House
Collective reference to lobbyists (see Legislative Advocates).
Third Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. Third reading occurs when the measure is about to be taken up on the floor of either house for final passage.
Third Reading Analysis
A summary of a measure that is ready for floor consideration. Describes most recent amendments and contains information regarding how Members voted on the measure when it was heard in committee. Senate floor analyses also list support or opposition by interest groups and government agencies.
Third Reading File
That portion of the Daily File listing the bills that are ready to be taken up for final passage.
Title
The material on the first page of a bill that identifies the provisions of law affected by the bill and the subject matter of the bill.
Two-Thirds Vote
In the Assembly, 54; in the Senate, 27. Required, for example, for urgency measures and most measures making appropriations from the General Fund.
Unanimous Consent
The consent of all of those Members present, ordinarily presumed to exist in the absence of objection.
Unfinished Business
That portion of the Daily File that contains measures awaiting Senate or Assembly concurrence in amendments adopted by the other house. Also contains measures vetoed by the Governor for a 60-day period after the veto.
Unicameral
A legislature consisting of one house (Nebraska has the only unicameral state legislature).
Upper House
The Senate.
Urgency Measure
A bill affecting the public peace, health, or safety, containing an urgency clause, and requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. An urgency bill becomes effective immediately upon enactment.
Urgency Clause
Section of a bill stating that the bill will take effect immediately upon enactment. A vote on the urgency clause, requiring a two-thirds vote in each house, must precede a vote on the bill.
Veto
The Governor's formal rejection of a measure passed by the Legislature. The Governor may also exercise a line item veto, whereby the amount of an appropriation is reduced or eliminated, while the rest of the bill is approved (see Blue Pencil). A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each house.
Voice Vote
A vote that requires only an oral "aye" or "no," with no official count taken. The presiding officer determines whether the "ayes" or "noes" carry.
Glossary of Internet Terms