https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/the-california-commission-on-state-mandates
California’s Commission on State Mandates derives its power from Article XIII B, Section 6 of the California State Constitution, which deals with a government spending limitation.
Section 6 of Article XIII B provides that whenever the Legislature or any state agency mandates a new program or a higher level of service on any local
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/drafting-bill-analyses-in-the-california-legislature
An important part of the California legislative process involves the preparation of analyses for legislators when considering bills. All of the committees, both policy and fiscal, prepare analyses of measures then the floors before the process repeats itself in the opposite house.
When reviewing bill analyses, an observer quickly notes the different approaches taken
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/examining-ca-legislative-records
Members of the public can examine California legislative records based upon the provisions of the Legislative Open Records Act (“LORA”). Found in California’s Government Code, LORA was enacted in 1975 in order to allow public access to legislative records. LORA also limits the public’s right
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/direct-democracy-in-california-a-brief-history-and-its-functions
Direct democracy is the term we in government use to describe the ability of the voters to take matters into their own hands. In other words, it is the ability of the voters to enact or repeal laws, or recall elected officials. California is one of two dozen
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/the-impact-of-the-state-budget-on-public-policy
California’s budget process continues to be and have a major impact on the state’s public policy agenda. From my vantage point, this is because numerous policy changes are enacted every year as part of the state budget. In other words, state public policy continues to be done as
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/role-of-local-government-in-california
The role of local government cannot be overstated. The 58 counties, the 482 cities, and over 3000 special districts from transportation agencies to local air districts, water boards, and vector control agencies, all play a very critical role in making and implementing public policy throughout the state of California.
Counties are specified as “political
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/sb-224
Senate Bill 224 deals with sexual harassment. Governor Brown signed SB 224 by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson on September 30, as Chapter 951. The bill adds investors, elected officials, lobbyists, directors, and producers to the list of examples of relationships that are covered by Civil Code Section 51.9. Civil Code Section 51.9 imposes civil
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/sb-1412
Senate Bill 1412 from the 2018 legislative session provides a new rule for employers in considering prior convictions. Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1412 by State Senator Steve Bradford on September the 30th. It was Chapter 987.
Basically, the bill requires employers to only consider convictions that are relevant to the job which applicants
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/state-budget-advocacy
In one way budget advocacy is no different than legislative or regulatory advocacy. The concept is essentially the same – to educate, and ultimately influence, lawmakers or administrative officials and staff concerning specific budget appropriations in the main budget bill or provisions of budget trailer bills.
As other capital observers have noted, the California
https://soundcloud.com/capimpactca/types-of-bill-amendments
An amendment is defined by the Office of Legislative Counsel as an alteration to a bill, motion, resolution or clause by adding, changing, substituting or omitting language. Now, in order to adopt an amendment to any pending measure, that amendment must be submitted to Legislative Counsel for