1. LEGISLATION 101: or Why do they keep asking me to analyze all these bills?

2. What is a bill? (Hint: it’s not just a guy’s name.) A bill is a piece of legislation to change state law proposed to the Legislature by either a State Senator an Assembly Member If both “houses” – Senate and Assembly – pass it, the bill is sent to the Governor If the governor signs the bill, it becomes law, and is given a chapter number

3. Where do ideas for bills come from? Constituents Authors in the Legislature Interest groups – such as Sacramento County – who will “sponsor” the bill, and request a legislator to be the “author”

4. Who writes these bills? Legislative staff and interest groups draft bills and amendments for author Author submits language to Legislative Counsel Legislative Counsel (Legislature’s Attorneys) officially write all bills and amendments – aka “Leg” Counsel

5. How Many Bills Are Introduced Each Year? 40 Senators – 50 bills each per two year session 80 Assembly Members – 40 bills each

6. How does a bill become a law? Critical Steps in the Legislative Process 30 day waiting period/bills referred Policy Committee(s) – 20 Senate/26 Assembly – Single/double-referral to two committees Fiscal Committee(s) Assembly or Senate Floor Repeat process in second house If amended, back to house of origin for concurrence

7. When are the key legislative deadlines? Each session lasts two years Legislative Counsel deadline Bill introduction deadline Policy Committee deadline(s) Fiscal Committee deadline(s) House of Origin Legislature’s Deadline Governor’s Deadline to Sign or Veto

8. When do new laws go into effect? January 1 st of following year – Majority vote – 21/41 Immediately with urgency clause – 2/3 vote – 27/54 Other Other (i.e. delayed effective date)

9. Regular Session Bills Assembly Bill 951 (AB 951) Our Bill (2007) Author, Dave Jones; Principal Coauthor, Steinberg; Coauthors Niello/Gaines “An act to add Section 25608.5 to the Business & Professions Code, relating to alcoholic beverages, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.”

10. Assembly Bill 951 – the steps Introduced February 2007 Amended (no limit) #1 Enrolled to Governor Chaptered by Secretary of State June 2007 – Chapter 19, Statutes of 2007 One page!

11. Special Session Bills Assembly Bill – (ABx1 1 Nunez 2007) – Health Care Reform (200 pages!) – (AB1x) – First Extraordinary Session Special Session Rules and Deadlines Differ – X 1 = 1 st extraordinary session – 1 = bill number

12. Other “types” of types bills “Spot” bills Unbacked & backed bills “Gut and amend” 2-Year bills Budget bills Trailer bills Good bills Bad bills

13. How to read a bill Additions are in italics Deletions are in strikeout Changes relate to previous version off bill, not existing law Do NOT rely on legislative counsel “digest” to analyze bill Do rely on “keys”

14. How to read a bill

15. Sacramento County Bill Analysis Form What is the impact? Which adopted legislative policy applies? How important is the to your bill department/advisory group? The more facts & figures specific to Sacramento County the better!

16. Types of County Positions Support Support if amended Oppose Oppose unless amended: ATTACH AMENDMENTS WE NEED SPECIFIC REASONS FOR THESE POSITIONS! Watch/Neutral/No impact **Positions must be consistent with adopted Board of Supervisors Legislative Policy**

17. Sacramento County Legislative Process Goal: Speak with one voice on behalf of Board of Supervisors Remember C’s - – Coordination – Collaboration – Consistency *Positions must be consistent with adopted Board of Supervisors Legislative Policy*

18. The State Budget Process Governor’s Budget: January 10 annually Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) budget analysis: end of February Senate & Assembly Committees Budget and Subcommittees May Revision Budget Conference Committee June 15 – Constitutional Deadline Big 5 Governor’s “Blue Pencil” Veto

19. Legislation 101 Wrap Up Timing is everything We need facts, facts and more facts We can make a difference on behalf of the Board and our citizens