California State Assembly
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| California State Assembly | |
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| General Information | |
| Type: | Lower house |
| Partisan control: | Democratic Party |
| Term limits: | 3 terms (6 years) if elected before 2012; 12 years if elected in or after 2012 |
| Session start: | December 5, 2016 |
| Website: | Official House Page |
| Leadership | |
| House Speaker: | Anthony Rendon (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Ian Charles Calderon (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Chad Mayes (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 80 |
| Democratic Party (55) Republican Party (25) Vacancies (0) | |
| Length of term: | 2 years |
| Authority: | Art IV, California Constitution |
| Salary: | $100,113/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last Election: | November 8, 2016 (80 seats) |
| Next election: | November 6, 2018 (80 seats) |
| Redistricting: | California Citizens Redistricting Commission |
Since the passage of Prop 28 in 2012, legislators first elected on or after November 6, 2012, are limited to a maximum of 12 years of service. Prop 140, passed in 1990, affects any members elected prior to November 6, 2012, limiting them to a maximum of three two-year terms (six years total).[2] California legislators assume office one month after their election (December).
Prior to the November 2016 general election, California was one of seven Democratic state government trifectas. A state government trifecta is a term used to describe "single party government," when one political party holds the governorship, a majority in the state senate, and a majority in the state house in a state's government. As a result of the 2016 election, California became one of six Democratic state government trifectas.
Altogether, the 2016 election saw the Democratic Party lose one trifecta while the Republican Party picked up a net gain of two trifectas. The 2017 state legislative sessions began with six Democratic trifectas, 25 Republican trifectas, and 19 states under divided government.[3] Read more about trifectas here.
Sessions
Article IV of the California Constitution establishes when the California State Legislature—of which the Senate is a part—is to be in session. Section 3 of Article IV states that the legislature is to meet in regular session on the first Monday of December in each even-numbered year to organize. The legislature adjourns by November 30 of the following even-numbered year.
Section 3 also gives the governor of California the power to call special sessions of the legislature.
2017
- See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions
In 2017, the Legislature will be in session from December 5, 2016, through September 15, 2017 (projected).
2016
- See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions
In 2016, the Legislature was in session from January 4 through August 31. The formal session ended on August 31, but constitutionally the session adjourned sine die on November 30.
2015
- See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions
In 2015, the legislature was in session from December 1, 2014, through September 12, 2015.
Major issues
Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included medical marijuana, tuition in the University of California system, a proposed tax increase, internet privacy, regulation of web-based businesses, and healthcare for illegal immigrants.[4]
2014
- See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 6 to August 30.
Major issues
Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial budget, prison overcrowding, and water bonds.[5]
2013
- See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions
In 2013, the legislature was in session from December 3, 2012, to September 13, 2013.
Major issues
Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included property taxes for education and tax breaks for students.[6]
2012
- See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions
In 2012, the Assembly was in session from January 4 to August 31.
2011
- See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions
In 2011, the Assembly was in session from January 3 through September 9, 2011. The California Legislature was convened in an extraordinary session to act upon legislation that addressed the fiscal emergency proclaimed by Governor Jerry Brown on January 20, 2011.[7]
2010
- See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions
In 2010, the legislature began its regular session on January 12 and was scheduled to adjourn on August 31. Additionally, the legislature adjourned one special session on January 11, 2010, had one ongoing special session that convened in October of 2009, and had another ongoing special session that convened on January 8, 2010.[8]
On July 28, 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a declaration of fiscal emergency as allowed under California's constitution as approved in 2004 under Proposition 58.[9][10] Upon issuance of a declaration of fiscal emergency, the legislature immediately reconvened and was not able to adjourn until after the fiscal situation was resolved.
Role in state budget
- See also: California state budget and finances
California on 
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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[11][12]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning in April.
- Agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
- Agency hearings are held from September through November.
- Public hearings are held from March through June.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January.
- The legislature adopts a budget in June. A two-thirds majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
California is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[12]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature is legally required to adopt a balanced budget.[12]
Cost-benefit analyses
The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative released a report in July 2013 indicating that cost-benefit analysis in policymaking led to more effective uses of public funds. Looking at data from 2008 through 2011, the study's authors found that some states were more likely to use cost-benefit analysis, while others were facing challenges and lagging behind the rest of the nation. The challenges states faced included a lack of time, money, and technical skills needed to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. California was one of 29 states with mixed results regarding the frequency and effectiveness of its use of cost-benefit analysis.[13]
Ethics and transparency
Following the Money report
- See also: "Following the Money" report, 2015
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., released its annual report on state transparency websites in March 2015. The report, entitled "Following the Money," measured how transparent and accountable state websites are with regard to state government spending.[14] According to the report, California received a grade of F and a numerical score of 34, indicating that California was "Failing" in terms of transparency regarding state spending.[14]
Open States Transparency
The Sunlight Foundation released an "Open Legislative Data Report Card" in March 2013. California was given a grade of D in the report. The report card evaluated how adequate, complete, and accessible legislative data was to the general public. A total of 10 states received an A: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.[15]
Elections
2018
Elections for the office of California State Assembly will take place in 2018. The general election will be held on November 6, 2018.
2016
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[16]
All 80 seats in the California State Assembly were up for election in 2016. Democrats gained three seats in the November 2016 general election.
2014
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014.
2012
Elections for the California State Assembly were held in California on November 6, 2012. All 80 seats were up for election.
The signature filing deadline for candidates was March 9, 2012.
California State Assembly members are subject to term limits and may not serve more than three two-year terms. In 2012, 21 state representatives were termed out of office.
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
| 2012 Margin of Victory, California State Assembly | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Winner | Margin of Victory | Total Votes | Top Opponent |
| District 20 |  Bill Quirk |
0.7% | 133,139 | Jennifer Ong |
| District 40 |  Mike Morrell |
0.8% | 129,546 | Russ Warner |
| District 50 | Richard Bloom |
0.9% | 185,185 | Betsy Butler |
| District 18 | Rob Bonta |
1% | 150,287 | Abel Guillen |
| District 10 | Marc Levine |
2.4% | 188,394 | Michael Allen |
| District 60 | Eric Linder |
3.6% | 117,043 | Jose Luis Perez |
| District 65 | Sharon Quirk-Silva |
4.1% | 132,564 | Chris Norby |
| District 5 | Frank Bigelow |
4.6% | 157,364 | Rico Oller |
| District 59 | Reggie Jones-Sawyer |
4.6% | 77,468 | Rodney D. Robinson |
| District 67 | Melissa Melendez |
4.7% | 128,462 | Phil Paule |
2010
Elections for the California State Assembly were held on November 2, 2010. State assembly seats in all districts were on the ballot in 2010.
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was February 25, 2010, and the primary election was held on June 8, 2010.
In the 2010 elections, the candidates running for the Assembly raised a total of $77,405,341 in campaign funds. Their top 10 contributors were:[17]
| 2010 Donors, California State Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Donor | Amount |
| California Democratic Party | $6,711,171 |
| California Republican Party | $1,759,884 |
| Sacramento County Democratic Central Cmte | $612,026 |
| California Association of Realtors | $585,754 |
| California Teachers Association | $580,141 |
| Los Angeles County Democratic Party | $556,653 |
| AT&T | $519,778 |
| California Dental Association | $499,849 |
| Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians | $442,300 |
| California State Council of Laborers | $424,500 |
2008
Elections for the California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 3, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008.
During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $84,390,298. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
| 2008 Donors, California State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donor | Amount | |
| California Democratic Party | $7,602,050 | |
| California Republican Party | $3,000,235 | |
| California State Council of Service Employees | $698,400 | |
| California Medical Association | $649,849 | |
| California Teachers Association | $637,100 | |
| Rao, Robert | $539,388 | |
| Sacramento County Democratic Central Cmte | $517,093 | |
| California Dental Association | $504,132 | |
| California State Council of Laborers | $448,600 | |
| California Association Of Realtors | $435,450 | |
2006
Elections for the California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 6, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006.
During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $91,726,959. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
| 2006 Donors, California State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donor | Amount | |
| California Democratic Party | $7,373,474 | |
| California Republican Party | $2,305,627 | |
| Sacramento County Democratic Central Cmte | $1,549,999 | |
| Stanislaus County Democratic Central Cmte | $790,720 | |
| San Diego County Democratic Party | $745,000 | |
| California Teachers Association | $715,255 | |
| Reilly, Janet | $662,565 | |
| Hu, Grace | $597,446 | |
| At&T | $589,549 | |
| Groveman, Barry | $562,500 | |
2004
Elections for the California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on March 2, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004.
During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $94,287,806. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
| 2004 Donors, California State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donor | Amount | |
| California Democratic Party | $5,691,897 | |
| Poizner Family Trust | $5,313,732 | |
| California Republican Party | $3,313,653 | |
| Sacramento County Democratic Central Cmte | $780,000 | |
| Cristich, Cristi | $776,256 | |
| Robinson, Mike | $606,000 | |
| Santa Clara County Democratic Central Cmte | $601,291 | |
| San Diego County Democratic Party | $590,994 | |
| California Teachers Association | $578,275 | |
| San Diego County Republican Central Cmte | $560,562 | |
2002
Elections for the California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on March 5, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002.
During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $73,822,064. The top 10 contributors were:[21]
| 2002 Donors, California State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donor | Amount | |
| California Democratic Party | $5,496,476 | |
| California Republican Party | $1,644,888 | |
| Pine, Dave | $736,949 | |
| California Teachers Association | $538,340 | |
| California Association of Realtors | $519,610 | |
| California State Council of Service Employees | $465,000 | |
| California Medical Association | $459,080 | |
| California Building Industry Association | $421,934 | |
| California School Employees Association | $421,468 | |
| California State Council of Laborers | $417,027 | |
2000
Elections for the California State Assembly consisted of a primary election on March 7, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000.
During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $85,228,873. The top 10 contributors were:[22]
| 2000 Donors, California State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donor | Amount | |
| California Democratic Party | $8,282,040 | |
| Assembly Democratic Leadership 2000 | $5,659,968 | |
| Assembly Republican PAC | $1,480,071 | |
| California Republican Party | $1,294,968 | |
| California Teachers Association | $1,022,156 | |
| California Association of Realtors | $806,217 | |
| California Correctional Peace Officers Association | $798,039 | |
| California Friends of Latino PAC | $711,731 | |
| Association of California Insurance Companies | $698,768 | |
| California School Employees Association | $692,864 | |
Qualifications
According to Article IV of the California Constitution, a candidate for the Assembly must be:
- a citizen of the U.S.;
- a state resident for at least three years;
- a resident of his or her legislative district for at least one year; and
- a registered voter in that district by the time nomination papers are filed.[23]
Vacancies
| How vacancies are filled in state legislatures |
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If there is a vacancy in the Assembly, the governor must call for a special election. The election must be called by the governor within 14 days of the vacancy being created. No special election can be held if the vacancy happened in an election year and the nominating deadline passed.[24]
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in California
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission—made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four independents—is responsible for redistricting.
2010 Census
California received its local census data on March 7, 2011.[25] The fastest-growing counties were Riverside (41.7 percent), Placer (40.3 percent), and Kern (26.9 percent)—all inland locations.[26]
The California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved maps on August 15, 2011. The final votes were 13-1 on the Senate and Assembly maps and 12-2 on the congressional map. Republican Michael Ward voted no to both maps, while Jodie Filkins Webber joined Ward in dissenting on the congressional map. A referendum to overturn the Senate map was initiated in August 2011.[27][28]
Representatives
Partisan composition
- See also: Partisan composition of state houses
| Party | As of February 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 55 | |
| Republican Party | 25 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 80 | |
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the California State Assembly from 1992 to 2013.
Leadership
The speaker of the Assembly presides over the Assembly in the chief leadership position, controlling the flow of legislation and committee assignments. The speaker is elected by the majority party caucus, followed by confirmation of the full Assembly on passage of a floor vote. Other Assembly leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses according to each party's strength in the chamber.[29]
Current leadership
- Speaker Pro Tempore: Kevin Mullin (D)
- Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore: Autumn Burke (D)
- Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Rob Bonta (D)
- Majority Whip: Raul Bocanegra (D)
- Assistant Majority Whip: Todd Gloria (D)
- Assistant Majority Whip: S. Monique Limón (D)
- Majority Caucus Chair: Mike Gipson (D)
- Minority Caucus Chair: Vacant
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislators | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $104,115/year | $176/day for each day in session. |
Pension
California does not provide pensions for legislators who took office after 1990.[30]
When sworn in
California legislators assume office one month after their election (December).
Current members
Standing committees
The California Assembly has 32 standing committees:
- Accountability and Administrative Review
- Aging and Long-Term Care
- Agriculture
- Appropriations
- Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media
- Banking and Finance
- Budget
- Business and Professions
- Communications and Conveyance
- Education
- Elections and Redistricting
- Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
- Governmental Organization
- Health
- Higher Education
- Housing and Community Development
- Human Services
- Insurance
- Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy
- Judiciary
- Labor and Employment
- Local Government
- Natural Resources
- Privacy and Consumer Protection
- Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security
- Public Safety
- Revenue and Taxation
- Rules
- Transportation
- Utilities and Energy
- Veterans Affairs
- Water, Parks and Wildlife
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
- See also: Who Runs the States and Who Runs the States, California
From 1992 to 2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the California State Assembly for all 22 years. The California State Assembly is one of 18 state houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992 and 2013. During the final three years of the study, California was under Democratic trifectas.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican state houses of representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the California governorship, the California State Senate, and the California State Assembly from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the California state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1 to 50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. California has never had a Republican trifecta, but it did have Democratic trifectas between the years 1999 and 2003 and again after 2010 to the present. California fell steadily in the SQLI ranking until finally reaching the bottom 10 in 2010. The state reached its highest ranking (28th) in 1998 and 1999, first under divided government and then under a Democratic trifecta. The state’s lowest ranking (48th) occurred recently in 2012 under a Democratic trifecta. Except for the years 1995 and 1996, the California Legislature has been consistently under Democratic control.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 37.00
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with divided government: 35.21
Legislative budgets
Each member of the California State Assembly is given an annual budget of about $290,000 with which to hire staff and run their office. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said on May 11, 2009, that she planned to cut this amount by about 10 percent—or $29,000 per year for each of the 80 members of the Assembly.[31]
Open records push
On August 1, 2011, the California State Assembly stated that the public has no right to know the individual budgets of assembly members. This came about after Assemblyman Anthony Portantino raised an issue stating that his budget was cut after casting the only Democratic vote against the recently passed controversial budget. As a result, he and several media outlets requested that the budget information be made public so that the people could see if members were being punished or rewarded for voting a certain way. The Assembly Rules Committee claimed that such documents are exempt from the Legislative Open Records Act.[32]
See also
- California
- California State Senate
- Governor of California
- California State Legislature
- California Constitution
External links
- Official website of the California State Assembly
- Official list of current members of the California State Assembly
- California Legislative District Maps (1911-Present)
- Map of Assembly Districts
- Assembly Republican Caucus
- Assembly Democratic Caucus
Footnotes
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed January 6, 2014
- ↑ California Legislative Information, "Article IV Legislative (Sec. 1 - Sec. 28)," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ This includes Connecticut and Delaware where the senates began the 2017 legislative sessions with Democrats in control through tie-breaking votes.
- ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Key issues for returning California Legislature," January 5, 2015
- ↑ Association of California Water Agencies, "2014 Legislative Year Begins in Sacramento," January 6, 2014
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Calif. Democrats ponder their new power," December 2, 2012
- ↑ National Center for State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ National Center for State Legislatures, "Session dates for California legislature, 2010," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency, Issues Executive Order to Impose Furloughs Due to Cash Crisis Caused By Budget Impasse," accessed August 24, 2010
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Executive Order S-12-10," accessed August 24, 2010
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Experiences with Annual and Biennial Budgeting," updated April 2011
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Summer 2008," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ Pew Charitable Trusts, "States’ Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis," July 29, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 U.S. Public Interest Research Group, "Following the Money 2015 Report," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ Sunlight Foundation, "Ten Principles for Opening Up Government Information," accessed June 16, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 11, 2016
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California Assembly 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2008 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2006 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2004 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2002 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "California 2000 Candidates," accessed June 18, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Qualifications for State Legislature," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Justia, "California Code," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "California: 2010," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ Ventura County Star, "With numbers now established, redistricting debate begins," March 9, 2011
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Redistricting-plan opponents given OK to begin referendum drive," August 26, 2011
- ↑ Ventura County Star, "Redistricting Commission gives final approval to new political maps," August 15, 2011
- ↑ California State Assembly, "Officers of the California State Assembly," accessed April 21, 2015
- ↑ USA Today, "State-by-state: Benefits available to state legislators," September 23, 2011
- ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Bass slices Assembly office budgets -- 10 percent," May 11, 2009
- ↑ InvestmentWatch, "California Assembly refuses to make public its members’ budgets," accessed April 21, 2015
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