CSDC created the Advocacy Roadmap to provide a high-level overview of how bills move through the legislative process in California. The Roadmap shows the steps it takes to pass legislation and the places along the timeline that advocates may wish to interact with their legislators.
Drafting and Introduction
Legislators and their constituents generate ideas for
proposed legislation. Legislative Counsel, the lawyers
who work for the legislature, draft the actual bill
text, along with a descriptive digest that summarizes
the bill’s provisions. After the bill is drafted, it
is officially introduced
First Reading
The bill is given its first “reading” on the floor of
the Assembly or the Senate. This “reading” is actually
a formality
30 Days
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is the initial stop for all
legislation. Committee members “assign” bills to one
or more committees based on subject matter
jurisdiction
Policy Committee
Most, but not all, charter school bills will be
assigned to the Committee on Education. Substantive
policy issues within the jurisdiction of education are
discussed in these committees.
Policy Commitee Deadline
Bills must be heard by Policy Committee. Deadline:
Late April
Appropriations Committee
Any bill assigned “fiscal” must be reviewed by the
committee on Appropriations and the fiscal impact of
the legislation must be considered.
Suspense File
All bills with a price tag of $150,000 or more must be
“held” on the suspense file awaiting an additional
fiscal hearing.
Suspense File Hearing
Decisions related to fiscal bills are made behind the
scenes by the chair of the Appropriations committee
and then a pro-forma hearing is held in public to
disclose outcomes
Fiscal Committee Deadline
All fiscal bills must be heard by a fiscal committee.
Deadline: Late May
Second Reading
Another formality, the bill is “read,” a second time,
at the legislative desk.
Third Reading and Floor Vote
Third Reading is the technical name of the final
discussion and vote that takes place on each
legislative floor
House of Origin Deadline
All bills must be passed out of their house of origin
by early June.
First Reading
The bill is given its first “reading” on the floor of
the second house.
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is the initial stop for all
legislation. Committee members “assign” bills to one or
more committees based on subject matter jurisdiction.
Policy Committee
Most, but not all, charter school bills will be assigned
to the Committee on Education. Substantive policy issues
within the jurisdiction of education are discussed in
these committees.
Policy Committee Deadline
Bills must be heard by the policy committee of the
second house. Deadline: Mid July
Appropriations Committee
Any bill assigned “fiscal” must be reviewed by the
committee on Appropriations and the fiscal impact of the
legislation must be considered.
Suspense File
All bills with a price tag of $150,000 or more must be
“held” on the suspense file awaiting an additional
fiscal hearing.
Suspense File Hearing
Decisions related to fiscal bills are made behind the
scenes by the chair of the Appropriations committee and
then a pro-forma hearing is held in public to disclose
outcomes.
Fiscal Committee Deadline
All fiscal bills must be heard by a fiscal committee in
the second house. Deadline: Early September
Second Reading
Another formality, the bill is “read,” a second time, at
the legislative desk.
Third Reading and Floor Vote
This is the technical name of the final discussion and
vote that takes place on each legislative floor.
Concurrence Vote
If there were any amendments, the first house must hold
a Concurrence Vote to agree to the amendments.
Deadline for Bill to Pass Both Houses
The bill must be passed by both houses of the
legislature by this deadline (Mid September of the
second year of a legislative session) in order to move
to the Governor’s Desk.
Governor’s Desk
If a bill reaches the Governor’s desk, the Governor
may choose to sign the bill, allow it to become law
without their signature, or they may veto the measure.
If approved, most bills take effect on January 1
following enactment, though “urgency” bills that are
passed by a two-thirds vote, as well as budget bills,
can take effect immediately upon approval.
Sign or Veto
Bill becomes low
Download
A downloadable version (PDF) of the interactive timeline above is available here.
