How a Bill Becomes Law And Other Useful Credential Counselors and Analysts of California Conference

1. How a Bill Becomes LawAnd Other Useful  Credential Counselors and Analysts of California Conference

2. 2 Agenda Legislative Process How to Follow a Bill Glossary of Terms: Legislative Lingo

3. 3 Bills Begin With a Good Idea 

4. 4 All Bills Need an Author in the Legislature 

5. 5 Some Bills Begin in the SenateSome Bills Begin in the Assembly All Bills Are Heard in Each House 

6. 6 Bills That Pass Through the Legislature Go to the Governor

7. 7 The Governor May Sign or Veto Bills Bills That Are Not Vetoed by the Deadline Become Law Without the Governor’s Signature

9. 9 Legislative InformationHow to Follow a Bill www.leginfo.ca.gov Easy steps for subscribing to a bill are in your conference binder.

10. 10 It’s Time to Play Legislative Lingo!

11. 11 ACROSS THE DESK “The Chief of Staff put the bill across the desk just in time to meet the deadline.” Across the DeskThe 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. Across the DeskThe 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.

12. 12 Spot Bill “The bill contained four lines and changed two words in statute. It was apparently a spot bill.” A bill that is a place holder for a more complex legislative proposal.A bill that is a place holder for a more complex legislative proposal.

13. 13 BLUE PENCIL “The appropriation was blue penciled.” Blue PencilThe 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.Blue PencilThe 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.

14. 14 Bill that would not DIE! No one came forward to support the bill but the Committee members still voted “aye.” The measure was dubbed a “bill that would not die.” A legislative proposal that is highly improbable, impossible or nonsensical, even to the proponents.A legislative proposal that is highly improbable, impossible or nonsensical, even to the proponents.

15. 15 GRANDFATHERING “Veteran teachers would be grandfathered.” Grandfathering When a preexisting situation is exempted from the requirements of a new law. Grandfathering When a preexisting situation is exempted from the requirements of a new law.

16. 16 GUT AND AMEND “Where did this come from?” the Senator screamed! “Looks like a “gut and amend,” her aid replied. Gut and Amend The act of deleting all of a bill’s provisions and substituting new content, sometimes on a completely different subject.Gut and Amend The act of deleting all of a bill’s provisions and substituting new content, sometimes on a completely different subject.

17. 17 HIJACKED “Leadership hijacked the bill for the provisions of the agreement.” 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. 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.

18. 18 HOSTILE AMENDMENT “The author didn’t recognize his own bill after the hostile amendments were added.” Amendments forced on the author, usually in committee or on the Floor. Given the choice to accept the amendments and keep the bill moving or drop their own bill, many authors opt to drop their own bill.Amendments forced on the author, usually in committee or on the Floor. Given the choice to accept the amendments and keep the bill moving or drop their own bill, many authors opt to drop their own bill.

19. 19 HELD UNDER SUBMISSION “The bill was reported out of committee as ‘held under submission.’” Typically used to indicate a bill that has died in committee.Typically used to indicate a bill that has died in committee.

20. 20 A TRAIN “Who knew that Career Technical Education would be the next train.” An unstoppable legislative proposal. A.K.A. “A bill that would not die.”An unstoppable legislative proposal. A.K.A. “A bill that would not die.”

21. 21 THANK YOU!