Question

Provide an outline for how a bill becomes law in the state legislature in California. Be sure to identify the key players and the role the Governor plays in the process.

Answer 1

When the bill number, the author's name, and the descriptive title of the bill are read on the house floor a bill is introduced or read the first time. The bill is then forwarded to the State Printing Office. No bill can take effect before 30 days from the date of its adoption have passed.

The bill then goes to the house of origin Rules Committee, where it is referred for the first hearing to the relevant legislative committee. Policy committees are assigned bills according to the subject area of the bill. For example, a Senate bill dealing with health care facilities would be assigned for policy review first to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

If a bill is approved by both houses, it then goes to the governor. There are three choices for Governor. The Governor can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law or veto it without its signature. A two-thirds majority in both houses will override a governor's veto. Most bills take effect on January 1st of next year. Urgent laws take effect immediately after they are signed without signature or permitted to become law.

Bills passed by the Legislature and authorized by the Governor shall be issued by the Secretary of State with a chapter number. Such Chaptered Bills (also referred to as the year they were passed as Statutes) then became part of the California Codes. The California Codes are a comprehensive set of laws, grouped by subject. The Constitution of California sets out the fundamental laws which govern the State of California. All changes to the Constitution come in as a result of constitutional amendments submitted for ratification by the voters.