California Legislative Process
Nonpartisan California Veteran Hub
California's Legislature meets in the State Capitol in Sacramento. It is bicameral — like Congress — but works on a faster timeline and considers thousands of bills each two-year session. Use the tabs below to dig into the bill process, how committees work, and the terminology you'll hear in any hearing.
12 steps from idea to law
1. Idea
Anyone — a constituent, advocacy group, or agency — can propose a bill. A legislator agrees to author it.
2. Drafting
Legislative Counsel drafts the bill in proper legal language.
3. Introduction (First Reading)
The author introduces ("reads in") the bill in their house. It gets a number: AB #### in the Assembly, SB #### in the Senate.
4. 30-Day Waiting Period
By rule, a bill cannot be heard or acted on for 30 days after introduction (waivable by 3/4 vote).
5. Policy Committee
Public hearing. The author presents. Supporters and opponents testify. Committee votes to pass, hold, amend, or refer to another committee.
6. Fiscal Committee
If the bill has a cost to the state, it goes to Appropriations for fiscal review. The Suspense File holds costly bills until a decision day.
7. Second Reading & Floor Vote
The full house debates and votes. Majority needed: 41 in Assembly, 21 in Senate. Urgency or tax bills need 2/3 (54 / 27).
8. Second House
The bill repeats the entire committee + floor process in the other chamber.
9. Concurrence or Conference
If the second house amended the bill, the first house must concur. If they can't agree, a conference committee resolves differences.
10. Enrollment & Governor's Desk
Once both houses pass identical text, the bill is enrolled and sent to the Governor. 12 days to act during session, 30 days after.
11. Veto Override
A 2/3 vote of both houses can override a veto. Extremely rare in California.
12. Chaptering
Signed bills become 'chaptered' laws and are added to the California Codes. Most take effect January 1 of the following year; urgency statutes take effect immediately.
Where to weigh in
The public can submit position letters, testify at committee hearings in Sacramento or by phone, and contact their legislators directly. Veterans bills typically run through the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.