We are anticipating another busy legislative and budget year in 2022, with the Legislature reconvening to begin their work for 2022 on January 3rd. As the second year in a two-year session, legislation introduced in 2021 that has not yet moved to the second house must move forward in January or will die, with exceptions for measures requiring a ⅔ vote. This means that in January there will be a rush of policy and fiscal committee hearings in addition to the release of the governor’s 2022-23 budget proposal on or by January 10.
Read the full report for key January deadlines, budget updates, and key legislative proposals.
On September 10, 2021 at 9:00PM, the Senate and Assembly adjourned session for the year and are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until January 3, 2022. This end of session was far less exciting than in prior years, partially because of the 72-hour in print rule, and partially because some issues were punted to next year, including highspeed rail.
A high-profile proposal from Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) mandating employee vaccinations and requiring proof of vaccination in indoor public places such as restaurants and movie theaters was quickly introduced and shelved, and several controversial public safety measures were put off until 2022.
Below is a summary of key legislation moving through the California State Legislature
In recent weeks, the state legislature has been working actively on their state budget proposals and to meet the statutory deadlines to move bills from their house of origin to the other house by the June 4th deadline. On May 19th, the Speaker Pro Tempore Toni Atkins announced that each legislator would be limited to sending 12 bills to the opposite house. Some bills may be excluded from this requirement if they are being proposed to be implemented immediately. Below is a summary of key legislation moving through the California State Legislature
SB 156 provides the statutory framework to implement the broadband provisions contained in the 2021 budget package. This bill contains necessary statutory changes to implement the broadband provisions included in the 2021-22 budget package. Funding for this bill is included in SB 129 (Skinner) and AB 164 Ting/SB 164 (Skinner) which amend the 2021 Budget Act AB 128 (Ting, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2021).
Read a detailed analysis of the provisions of the bill here.
Things are starting to pick up steam in Sacramento and we will be reporting regularly as legislation and related actions unfolds. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Although the state Capitol remains quiet with only one staffer permitted in the building per legislator, the legislative session has resumed with its usual rigor. Meetings with legislators and staff via teleconference continue, newly introduced legislation is being analyzed, budget hearings began on an expedited timeline. The Department of Finance is slowly releasing trailer bill language clarifying some of the Administration’s January budget proposal, and the Legislative Analyst’s staff is busy making recommendations about how the Legislature should respond to it.