Key Facts
Key Information
About
The California State Legislature is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of California, responsible for enacting laws, approving the state budget, and overseeing the executive branch. It consists of two chambers: the California State Assembly, with 80 members serving two-year terms, and the California State Senate, with 40 members serving four-year terms. Both houses convene at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, where legislative sessions, committee hearings, and public proceedings take place. The Legislature operates under a term limits law enacted in 1990 via Proposition 140, allowing members elected before 2012 up to six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate, while those elected in or after 2012 can serve up to 12 years total across both houses in any combination.
The legislative process in California involves bill introduction, committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before transmission to the Governor for approval or veto. Proceedings are documented in published journals that summarize votes, proposals, and withdrawals, with additional reports from executive agencies appended to these records. The Legislature also engages in oversight through committees, fiscal policy via the budget process, and ethical standards enforced by rules and caucuses. It maintains resources for public access, including bill information, calendars, and district maps, supporting transparency in governance.
As part of California's tripartite government structure alongside the executive and judicial branches, the State Legislature plays a pivotal role in addressing issues like environmental regulation, education funding, and criminal justice reform. It interacts with local governments, such as Los Angeles County, and federal entities, while providing links to voter registration and statistical data through official portals.