ABATE of CA > Issues & Legislation > Detailed Steps in the Bill Process

Detailed Steps in the Bill Process

Approach the constituent, lobbyist, staff, etc. with the bill proposal.

Submit the proposed language to the Legislative Counsel. (Within days you will receive a "golden rod" copy from Leg. Counsel containing a request number and a Leg. Counsel staff contact. The bill should be delivered within a matter of days.)

Obtain the Member's signature on the bill and put it across the desk on the Assembly Floor.

Remain in close contact with sponsor for changes. (A committee may make suggestions for amendments, or opposition may negotiate for amendments.)

The Assembly

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE HEARING

Introduced bills have to be in print for 31 days prior to action.

The bill will be referred to the Policy Committee by Assembly Rules. (Once it is referred, track the bill and be prepared for the hearing. Update the bill files and prepare Member's statement. Attend the hearing with the appointed Member. The Policy Committee may or may not refer the bill to the Fiscal Committee. If it is referred, make the same preparations as above. If its not referred, it will be sent directly to the Assembly Floor for vote by the whole membership.)

THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR

The bill goes from the Assembly Committee to the "Second Reading File." (No action is necessary from the Member or staff.)

The bill moves from the "Second Reading" to the "Third Reading." (Update the bill files, prepare the Member's statement. Watch/listen to floor sessions to hear for any voting, problems or suggestions from the Floor or another Member. The bill will pass or fail. If it fails, the bill is dead. If it passes, it moves to the senate.)

The Senate

SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS

The bill will be referred to the Policy Committee by Senate Rules. (Once it is referred, track the bill and be prepared for the hearing. Update the bill files and prepare Member's statement. Attend the hearing with the appointed Member. The Policy Committee may or may not refer the bill to the Fiscal Committee. If it is referred, make the same preparations as above. If its not referred, it will be sent directly to the Senate Floor for vote by the whole membership.)

THE SENATE FLOOR

The bill goes from the Assembly Committee to the "Senate Second Reading." (No action is necessary from the Member or staff.)

The bill moves from the "Second Reading" to the "Third Reading." (Update the bill files, and approach a Senator about "Floor jockeying,” or presenting the bill on the Senate floor for your Member. Watch/listen to floor sessions to hear for any voting, problems or suggestions from the Floor or another Member. The bill will pass or fail. If it fails, the bill is dead. If it passes without amendment, it moves to the Governor for his/her signature. If any amendments have been adopted in the Senate, the newly passed version will first be sent back to Assembly Floor for a Concurrence vote.)

The Governor's Office

Once received, the Governor has 30 days to sign the bill. There are three possible outcomes:

The Governor signs bill, and the bill becomes law, effective January 1st of the following year, unless an “urgency clause” has been adopted.
The Governor does not sign the bill, and the bill does not become law.
The Governor vetoes the bill. The bill does not become law and Governor writes a letter to the house of the bill's origin explaining why he vetoed the bill. The House of the bill's origin has the option of overriding the Governor's veto by a 2/3 vote. If this happens, the bill becomes law, effective January 1st of the following year, unless an “urgency clause” has been adopted.