text:
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, if it is determined that retrofit work is appropriate to address potential deficiencies listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 8897.2, the following standards shall be used:

(1) The foundation anchor bolt requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2907 of Chapter 29 of the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, or any local government modification which establishes equivalent or higher requirements.

(2) The cripple wall bracing requirements of paragraph (4) of subdivision (g) of Section 2517 of Chapter 25 of the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, or any local government modification which establishes equivalent or higher requirements.

(3) The water heater bracing, anchoring, or strapping requirements to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion of Section 19215 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) Any qualified historical building or structure, as defined pursuant to Section 18955 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be permitted to utilize alternatives to the requirements of this section, as provided by the State Historical Building Code (Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 18950) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code) and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 307, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1993.)

article: 2. Earthquake Evaluations


kind: section

code: GOV

text: No transfer of title shall be invalidated on the basis of a failure to comply with this chapter.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 699, Sec. 1.)

division: 1. GENERAL

article: 2. Earthquake Evaluations

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 13.8. Residential Strengthening—Seismic Safety > 2. Earthquake Evaluations


text: For the purposes of this chapter, the duty of the real estate licensee shall be limited to providing to the seller a copy of the Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety for delivery to the prospective transferee pursuant to Section 2079.8 of the Civil Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 307, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993.)

title: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

chapter: 13.8. Residential Strengthening—Seismic Safety

article: 2. Earthquake Evaluations


text:
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Affirmatively furthering fair housing” means taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. Specifically, affirmatively furthering fair housing means taking meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws. The duty to affirmatively further fair housing extends to all of a public agency’s activities and programs relating to housing and community development.

(2) “Public agency” means all of the following:

(A) The state, including every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission, including the California State University.

(B) A city, including a charter city, county, including a charter county, city and county, and a redevelopment successor agency.

(C) A public housing authority created pursuant to the Housing Authorities Law (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 34200) of Part 2 of Division 24 of the Health and Safety Code).

(D) A public housing agency, as defined in the United States Housing Act of 1937 (codified at 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437 et seq.), as amended.

(E) Any other political subdivision of the state that is a grantee or subgrantee receiving funds provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Community Development Block Grant program, the Emergency Solutions Grants program, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, or the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program.

(b) (1) A public agency shall administer its programs and activities relating to housing and community development in a manner to affirmatively further fair housing, and take no action that is materially inconsistent with its obligation to affirmatively further fair housing.

(2) A public agency shall have a mandatory duty to comply with paragraph (1). This paragraph is a clarification of existing law and shall not be deemed a change in previous law enacted by Chapter 958 of the Statutes of 2018.

(c) This section shall be interpreted consistent with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Final Rule and accompanying commentary published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development contained in Volume 80 of the Federal Register, Number 136, pages 42272 to 42371, inclusive, dated July 16, 2015. Subsequent amendment, suspension, or revocation of this Final Rule or its accompanying commentary by the federal government shall not impact the interpretation of this section.

(d) In selecting meaningful actions to fulfill the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing, this section does not require a public agency to take, or prohibit a public agency from taking, any one particular action.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 357, Sec. 1. (AB 1304) Effective January 1, 2022.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 15. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing


text:
(a) There is hereby created in state government the California Catastrophe Response Council to oversee the California Earthquake Authority to the extent provided in Section 10089.6 of the Insurance Code and the Wildfire Fund Administrator.

(b) The council shall consist of the following nine members.

(1) The Governor or the Governor’s designee.

(2) The Treasurer or the Treasurer’s designee.

(3) The Insurance Commissioner or the Insurance Commissioner’s designee.

(4) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or the secretary’s designee.

(5) Three members of the public appointed by the Governor.

(6) A member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.

(7) A member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(c) The members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the three members appointed by the Governor shall have four-year staggered terms. The Governor’s initial appointees shall serve two-year terms.

(d) Until a majority of the council is appointed, the governing board of the California Earthquake Authority shall assume the authorities and duties of the council.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 396, Sec. 1. (AB 1513) Effective January 1, 2020.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 16. California Catastrophe Response Council


text: For purposes of conducting the business of the council, a quorum shall be five members.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 81, Sec. 1. (AB 111) Effective July 12, 2019.)

chapter: 16. California Catastrophe Response Council


text: The council shall appoint the Wildfire Fund Administrator and oversee the administrator’s operation, management, and administration of the Wildfire Fund created pursuant to Section 3284 of the Public Utilities Code. The administrator shall have relevant experience in claims administration, the management of claims trusts, or other relevant experience. Until the administrator is appointed, the California Earthquake Authority shall exercise the powers of the administrator.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 396, Sec. 2. (AB 1513) Effective January 1, 2020.)


text:
The purpose of this chapter includes all of the following:

(a) To prohibit the use of the word “squaw” for geographic features and place names within the State of California.

(b) To establish a process for the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names to review and revise offensive names in the State of California and, as necessary, submit formal requests to the United States Board on Geographic Names to render decisions on proposed name changes.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 479, Sec. 2. (AB 2022) Effective January 1, 2023.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 1. GENERAL > 17. Geographic Feature and Place Name Prohibitions


text:
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Advisory Committee” or “committee” means the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names, or appointees thereof, as established within the Natural Resources Agency.

(b) “Formal consultation” means the meaningful and timely process of seeking, discussing, and considering carefully the views of others, in a manner that is cognizant of all parties’ cultural values and, where feasible, seeking agreement. Consultation between government agencies and Native American tribes shall be conducted in a way that is mutually respectful of each party’s sovereignty. Consultation shall also recognize the tribes’ potential needs for confidentiality with respect to places that have traditional tribal cultural significance.

(c) “Geographic feature” means any location or publicly owned structure in this state, including, but not limited to, navigable waters of the state, geographic features, parks, state or local roads, bridges, and publicly owned buildings.

(d) “Place” means any natural geographic feature or street, alley, or other road within the jurisdiction of the state or political subdivision of the state.

(e) “Public agency” means a state agency, local governing body, and any other political subdivision of the state.

chapter: 17. Geographic Feature and Place Name Prohibitions


text: The Natural Resources Agency shall direct the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names to revise its existing charter and amend it to include the execution of the duties, powers, and responsibilities listed under Section 8899.94.


text:
(a) A public agency shall no longer replace any sign, interpretive marker, or any other marker or printed material with the discontinued name containing the word “squaw.” A public agency shall ensure that whenever it updates a map, or replaces a sign, interpretive marker, or any other marker because of wear or vandalism, the new name adopted pursuant to Section 8899.94 is used.

(b) Beginning on January 1, 2025, the word “squaw” shall be removed from all geographic features and place names in the State of California.


text:
(a) The committee shall complete each of the following no later than July 1, 2023:

(1) The committee shall develop a procedure for receiving reports from a public agency that is reporting any geographic feature or place name containing the word “squaw” in its jurisdiction.

(2) The committee shall create a process to receive and review individual petitions to change offensive or derogatory geographic features and place names, including, but not limited to, geographic features and place names containing the word “squaw.”

(b) A public agency shall complete each of the following no later than July 1, 2023:

(1) Identify all geographic features and place names within its jurisdiction containing the word “squaw.”

(2) File a report identifying those names with the committee.

(c) By January 1, 2024, the committee shall verify the reports it receives pursuant to subdivision (b) and notify the respective public agency of all of the following:

(1) Any remaining geographic feature or place name that includes the term “squaw” in the jurisdiction of the public agency.

(2) The obligations of the public agency to recommend a replacement name for the geographic features and place names in that jurisdiction.

(3) The deadline established in this section.

(d) The committee shall establish a procedure in formal consultation with California Native American tribes on the list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for receiving name recommendations. This procedure shall be used statewide and the draft shall be subject to public comment. Once the process has been established, it shall be listed online in a forum accessible to the general public.

(e) (1) After the date of notification by the committee, pursuant to subdivision (c), the public agency shall propose a replacement name to the committee within 180 days.

(2) (A) The public agency shall solicit proposals to rename geographic features and place names from the California Native American tribes, any other public agencies as appropriate, and the public.

(B) The public agency shall engage in formal consultation with California Native American tribes to solicit their proposals.

(3) In selecting replacement names, the public agency shall prioritize names that honor and recognize the tribes, cultures, and indigenous languages specific to the geographic region in question, including place names that were previously used by Native American tribes or place names proposed by California Native American tribes through the appropriate enactment or resolution.

(f) (1) The committee shall vote on the proposed replacement name for a geographic feature or place name within 90 days of receiving the proposed replacement name.

(2) The committee may reject a proposed replacement name if the committee determines that it is offensive or insulting.

(g) (1) If the public agency fails to provide a replacement name within the specified time, or the provided name is deemed to be offensive or insulting by the committee, the committee shall solicit proposals and input to rename the geographic feature or place name from all of the following:

(A) California Native American tribes on the list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission through formal consultation.

(B) Appropriate public agencies.

(C) Members of the public.

(2) (A) The committee shall vote on a new replacement name within 180 days of rejecting a proposed replacement name pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) or, if the public agency failed to provide a replacement name, within 180 days of the deadline to receive a proposed replacement name.

(B) In selecting a new replacement name, the committee shall consider the input received pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision and prioritize names that honor and recognize the tribes, cultures, and indigenous languages specific to the geographic region in question, including place names that were previously used by Native American tribes or place names proposed by California Native American tribes through the appropriate enactment or resolution.

(h) The committee shall do all of the following no later than 90 days after it approves a new name:

(1) Notify each public agency that has reported an offensive or derogatory place name of the alternative name selected by the committee.

(2) Notify state departments, including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and any other state department that compiles information or develops maps or markers, for the State of California of the name change to ensure that any name change be reflected on subsequent editions of any maps, informational literature, or markers produced by those entities.

(3) Submit, as necessary, a formal request with the United States Board on Geographic Names to render a decision on each proposed name change so that each new name will be reflected on all maps of the United States Board on Geographic Names.

(4) Coordinate with all federal, state, and local agencies to reflect the approved name changes in maps, signs, interpretive markers, other markers, and databases in which the names of these geographic features are recorded.


text:
(a) Beginning on January 1, 2025, the committee shall annually report to the Legislature regarding implementation of this chapter. The report shall identify, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) Each geographic feature and place name in the State of California containing the word “squaw” and the relevant public agency with jurisdiction over that geographic feature or place name.

(2) The replacement name proposed for that geographic feature or place name and the process to select that replacement name.

(3) The number and location of any markers, signs, or maps that shall be or have been changed to reflect the name change.

(4) The date that requests to change names were filed with the United States Board of Geographic Names and whether those changes have been made.

(5) All work completed to date for the purposes of this chapter.

(6) Any other relevant information that the committee finds appropriate.

(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.


citation: GOV § 8902

text: During those times that a Member of the Legislature is required to be in Sacramento to attend a session of the Legislature and during those times that a member is traveling to and from, or is in attendance at, any meeting of a committee of which he or she is a member or is attending to any other legislative function or responsibility as authorized or directed by the rules of the house of which he or she is a member or by the joint rules, he or she shall be entitled to reimbursement of his or her living expenses at a rate established by the Department of General Services that is not less than the rate provided to federal employees traveling to Sacramento.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 64. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)

division: 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

chapter: 1. Legislative Organization

article: 1. Legislative Compensation

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. Legislative Organization > 1. Legislative Compensation


citation: GOV § 8903

text: When traveling to and from a session of the Legislature, or when traveling to and from a meeting of a committee of which he or she is a member, or when traveling pursuant to any other legislative function or responsibility as authorized or directed by the rules of the house of which he or she is a member or by the joint rules, when that travel is by a common carrier of passengers, a Member of the Legislature shall be entitled to reimbursement for the actual costs of travel by the common carrier. If the member travels by other means and common carrier service is available and feasible he or she shall be reimbursed in the amount of the fare of available common carrier service. If common carrier service is unavailable or not feasible, a member shall be reimbursed at a rate not to exceed the rate established by the Department of Human Resources for the reimbursement of officers and employees of the state pursuant to Section 19820. No mileage shall be allowed or paid for travel in a conveyance owned or provided by and at the expense of a public agency. As used in this section, “common carrier” means carrier by aircraft, railroad, bus, or vessel.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 665, Sec. 45. (SB 1308) Effective January 1, 2013.)

article: 1. Legislative Compensation


citation: GOV § 8920

text:
(a) A Member of the Legislature, state elective or appointive officer, or judge or justice shall not, while serving as such, have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity, or incur any obligation of any nature, that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest and of his responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state.

(b) A Member of the Legislature shall not do any of the following:

(1) Accept other employment that he or she has reason to believe will either impair his or her independence of judgment as to his or her official duties or require him or her, or induce him or her, to disclose confidential information acquired by him or her in the course of and by reason of his or her official duties.

(2) Willfully and knowingly disclose, for pecuniary gain, to any other person, confidential information acquired by him or her in the course of and by reason of his or her official duties or use any such information for the purpose of pecuniary gain.

(3) Accept or agree to accept, or be in partnership with any person who accepts or agrees to accept, any employment, fee, or other thing of monetary value, or portion thereof, in consideration of his or her appearing, agreeing to appear, or taking any other action on behalf of another person before any state board or agency.

This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit a member who is an attorney at law from practicing in that capacity before any court or before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and receiving compensation therefor. This subdivision does not prohibit a member from acting as an advocate without compensation or making inquiry for information on behalf of a constituent before a state board or agency, or from engaging in activities on behalf of another which require purely ministerial acts by the board or agency and which in no way require the board or agency to exercise any discretion, or from engaging in activities involving a board or agency which are strictly on his or her own behalf. The prohibition contained in this subdivision does not apply to a partnership or firm of which the Member of the Legislature is a member if the Member of the Legislature does not share directly or indirectly in the fee, less any expenses attributable to that fee, resulting from the transaction. The prohibition contained in this subdivision as it read immediately prior to January 1, 1983, does not apply in connection with any matter pending before any state board or agency on or before January 2, 1967, if the affected Member of the Legislature was an attorney of record or representative in the matter prior to January 2, 1967. The prohibition contained in this subdivision, as amended and operative on January 1, 1983, does not apply to any activity of any Member in connection with a matter pending before any state board or agency on January 1, 1983, which was not prohibited by this section prior to that date, if the affected Member of the Legislature was an attorney of record or representative in the matter prior to January 1, 1983.

(4) Receive or agree to receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation, reward, or gift from any source except the State of California for any service, advice, assistance or other matter related to the legislative process, except fees for speeches or published works on legislative subjects and except, in connection therewith, reimbursement of expenses for actual expenditures for travel and reasonable subsistence for which payment or reimbursement is not made by the State of California.

(5) Participate, by voting or any other action, on the floor of either house, in committee, or elsewhere, in the passage or defeat of legislation in which he or she has a personal interest, except as follows:

(A) If, on the vote for final passage by the house of which he or she is a member, of the legislation in which he or she has a personal interest, he or she first files a statement, which shall be entered verbatim on the journal, stating in substance that he or she has a personal interest in the legislation to be voted on and, notwithstanding that interest, he or she is able to cast a fair and objective vote on that legislation, he or she may cast his or her vote without violating any provision of this article.

(B) If the member believes that, because of his or her personal interest, he or she should abstain from participating in the vote on the legislation, he or she shall so advise the presiding officer before the commencement of the vote and shall be excused from voting on the legislation without any entry on the journal of the fact of his or her personal interest. If a rule of the house requiring that each member who is present vote aye or nay is invoked, the presiding officer shall order the member excused from compliance and shall order entered on the journal a simple statement that the member was excused from voting on the legislation pursuant to law.

(C) This section does not apply to persons who are members of the state civil service as described in Article VII of the California Constitution.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 73. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. Legislative Organization > 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8921

text: A person subject to this article has an interest that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state or a personal interest, arising from any situation, within the scope of this article, if he or she has reason to believe or expect that he or she will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss, as the case may be, by reason of his or her official activity. He or she does not have an interest that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state or a personal interest, arising from any situation, within the scope of this article, if any benefit or detriment accrues to him or her as a member of a business, profession, occupation, or group to no greater extent than any other member of that business, profession, occupation, or group.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 74. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8922

text:
A person subject to this article is not engaged in any activity that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed in the laws of this state, or does not have a personal interest, arising from any situation, within the scope of this article, solely by reason of either of the following:

(a) His or her relationship to any potential beneficiary of any situation is one that is defined as a remote interest by Section 1091 or is otherwise not deemed to be a prohibited interest by Section 1091.1 or 1091.5.

(b) Receipt of a campaign contribution regulated, received, reported, and accounted for pursuant to Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000), so long as the contribution is not made on the understanding or agreement, in violation of law, that the person’s vote, opinion, judgment, or action will be influenced by the contribution.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 75. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8923

text:
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), a Member of the Legislature acting in their official capacity shall not enter into, or request that another individual enter into, a nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), any nondisclosure agreement relating to the drafting, negotiation, or discussion of proposed legislation entered into or requested by a Member of the Legislature after the effective date of this section shall be void and unenforceable.

(c) (1) This section does not prohibit a Member of the Legislature from entering into or requesting a nondisclosure agreement that prevents only the disclosure of trade secrets, financial information, or proprietary information.

(2) This section does not make void and unenforceable a nondisclosure agreement, or portion of a nondisclosure agreement, that prevents only the disclosure of trade secrets, financial information, or proprietary information.

(3) Notwithstanding Section 8924, this section applies only to a Member of the Legislature acting in their official capacity.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Discussion” means direct or indirect communications engaged in by individuals for the purpose of reaching a decision regarding proposed legislation.

(2) “Drafting” means developing language for proposed legislation to be considered by the Legislature.

(3) “Negotiation” means any form of direct or indirect communication whereby individuals who have opposing interests discuss the form of any proposed legislation that may resolve a dispute involving those interests.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 191, Sec. 2. (AB 1370) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8924

text:
(a) An employee of either house of the Legislature shall not, during the time he or she is so employed, commit any act or engage in any activity prohibited by this article. The provisions of this article and Article 3 (commencing with Section 8940) that are applicable to a Member of the Legislature are also applicable to any employee of either house of the Legislature.

(b) This part shall not be construed to prohibit an employee of either house of the Legislature from serving in an elective or appointive office of a regional or local public agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 76. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the California Council on Science and Technology was organized as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in response to Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 162 (Resolution Chapter 148 of the Statutes of 1988). The council was uniquely established at the request of the Legislature for the specific purpose of offering expert advice to state government on public policy issues significantly related to science and technology. The establishment of the California Science and Technology Policy Fellowships as a professional development program is consistent with the Legislature’s intent in requesting the creation of the council and is expressly designed to fulfill the council’s mission of assisting state policymakers as they face increasingly complex decisions related to science and technology challenges confronting the state in the 21st century.

(b) The services of a California Science and Technology Policy Fellow provided by the California Council on Science and Technology and duly authorized by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules are not compensation, a reward, or a gift to a Member of the Legislature for purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 8920 and are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a Member of the Legislature that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(c) (1) The services of a California Science and Technology Policy Fellow provided by the California Council on Science and Technology and duly authorized by an executed memorandum of understanding between the council and an executive branch agency or department are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a state elective or appointive officer that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(2) The services of a California Science and Technology Policy Fellow provided by the California Council on Science and Technology and duly authorized by an executed memorandum of understanding between the council and a judicial branch agency or department are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a judge or justice that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(d) A California Science and Technology Policy Fellow provided by the California Council on Science and Technology and duly authorized by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules is not an employee of either house of the Legislature for purposes of this article.

(e) For purposes of this section, a California Science and Technology Policy Fellow is “duly authorized by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules” only if both of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The California Science and Technology Policy Fellow has been selected according to criteria, and pursuant to a process, approved by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules.

(2) The California Council on Science and Technology has executed an agreement with the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules whereby the California Science and Technology Policy Fellow is bound to abide by standards of conduct, economic interest disclosure requisites, and other requirements specified by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Committee on Rules.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 112, Sec. 1. (SB 698) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


text:
(a) The services of a policy fellow provided by an association are not compensation, a reward, or a gift to a Member of the Legislature for purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 8920 and are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a Member of the Legislature that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(b) (1) The services of a policy fellow provided by an association are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a state elective or appointive officer that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(2) The services of a policy fellow provided by an association are not an interest, business, transaction, professional activity, or obligation of a judge or justice that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of their duties in the public interest or of their responsibilities for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8920.

(c) A policy fellow provided by an association is not an employee of either house of the Legislature for purposes of this article.

(d) For purposes of this section, “association” means any of the following organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code:

(1) The Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association.

(2) The California Legislative Black Staff Association.

(3) The Capitol LGBTQ Association.

(4) The California Latino Capitol Association Foundation.

(e) This section does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 238, Sec. 1. (AB 2573) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8925

text: No person shall induce or seek to induce any Member of the Legislature to violate any provision of this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 4.2.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8926

text: Every person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor. Every person who conspires to violate any provision of this article is guilty of a felony.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 4.4.)

article: 2. Code of Ethics


citation: GOV § 8940

text: The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee is hereby created. The committee shall consist of three Members of the Senate and three Members of the Assembly who shall be selected in the manner provided for in the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly. Of the three members appointed from each house, at least one from each house shall be a member of the political party having the largest number of members in that house and at least one from each house shall be a member of the political party having the second largest number of members in that house. The committee shall elect its own chairman. Vacancies occurring in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the manner provided for in the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist as to any member of the committee whose term is expiring whenever such member is not reelected at the general election.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1966, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 163.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1. Legislative Organization > 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8941

text:
The committee is authorized to make rules governing its own proceedings. The provisions of Rule 36 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly relating to investigating committees shall apply to the committee.

Prior to the issuance of any subpoena by the committee with respect to any matter before the committee, it shall by a resolution adopted by a vote of two members of the committee from each house of the Legislature define the nature and scope of its investigation in the matter before it.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8942

text: Funds for the support of the committee shall be provided from the Contingent Funds of the Assembly and the Senate in the same manner that such funds are made available to other joint committees of the Legislature.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8943

text:
(a) The committee shall have power, pursuant to the provisions of this article, to investigate and make findings and recommendations concerning alleged violations by Members of the Legislature of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920).

(b) The committee may, on its own action, initiate an investigation of a Member of the Legislature. The action may be taken only if the requirements of Section 8954 are satisfied.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 5.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8944

text:
(a) Any person may file a statement alleging a violation of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920) with the committee.

(b) To constitute a valid complaint, the statement shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) It shall be in writing.

(2) It shall state the name of the Member of the Legislature alleged to have committed a violation.

(3) It shall set forth allegations which, if true, would constitute a violation of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920). These allegations shall be stated with sufficient clarity and detail to enable the committee to make a determination pursuant to Section 8945.

(4) It shall be signed by the complainant under penalty of perjury.

(5) It shall include a statement that the facts are true of the complainant’s own knowledge or that the complainant believes them to be true.

(c) As used in this article, the term “complaint” means a valid complaint as specified in subdivision (b).

(d) If a complaint is filed with the committee, the committee shall promptly send a copy of the complaint to the Member of the Legislature alleged to have committed the violation complained of, who shall thereafter be designated as the respondent, and the committee may send a copy of the complaint to the house in which the respondent serves, the Attorney General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred.

(e) No complaint may be filed with the committee after the expiration of 12 months from the date upon which the alleged violation occurred.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 6.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8945

text:
(a) If the committee determines that the complaint does not allege facts, directly or upon information and belief, sufficient to constitute a violation of any of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920), it shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant and respondent thereof. If the committee has sent a copy of the complaint to any other person or entity specified in subdivision (d) of Section 8944, the committee shall also notify that person or entity of its determination under this subdivision.

(b) If the committee determines that the complaint does allege facts, directly or upon information and belief, sufficient to constitute a violation of any of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920), the committee shall promptly investigate the alleged violation and, if after the preliminary investigation, the committee finds that probable cause exists for believing the allegations of the complaint, it shall fix a time for a hearing in the matter, which shall be not more than 30 days after the finding. If, after the preliminary investigation, the committee finds that probable cause does not exist for believing the allegations of the complaint, the committee shall dismiss the complaint. In either event the committee shall notify the complainant and respondent of its determination.

(c) If a result of an investigation initiated pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8943, determines that probable cause exists for believing that a Member of the Legislature has violated any of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920), the committee shall fix a time for a hearing in the matter, which shall be not more than 30 days after the determination.

(d) The committee shall make its determination under subdivision (a) or (b) not later than 90 days after first receiving a complaint which contains all of the information required by Section 8944. The committee may, however, seek an extension, not to exceed 90 days, which may be granted by a majority vote of the membership of each house. If the committee has requested a law enforcement agency to investigate the complaint or if the committee knows that the complaint is being investigated by a law enforcement agency, the time limits set forth in this subdivision shall be tolled until the investigation is completed.

(e) The committee’s determination under subdivision (b) or (c) shall be stated in writing, with reasons given therefor, and shall be provided to the house in which the respondent serves, the Attorney General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred. The written determination provided pursuant to this subdivision is a public record and open to public inspection.

(f) Any deliberations of the committee from the time of receipt of a complaint until it decides to dismiss the complaint or to set a hearing shall not be open to the public unless the respondent requests a public meeting.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 7.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8946

text: After the complaint has been filed the respondent shall be entitled to examine and make copies of all evidence in the possession of the committee relating to the complaint.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8947

text: If a hearing is to be held pursuant to Section 8945 the committee, before the hearing has commenced, shall issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum at the request of any party in accordance with Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 9400) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2. All of the provisions of Chapter 4, except Section 9410, apply to the committee and the witnesses before it.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 466, Sec. 56.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8948

text:
At any hearing held by the committee:

(a) Oral evidence shall be taken only on oath or affirmation.

(b) Each party shall have these rights: to be represented by legal counsel; to call and examine witnesses; to introduce exhibits; and to cross-examine opposing witnesses.

(c) The hearing shall be open to the public.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8949

text: Any official or other person whose name is mentioned at any investigation or hearing of the committee and who believes that testimony has been given which adversely affects him, shall have the right to testify or, at the discretion of the committee, to file a statement of facts under oath relating solely to the material relevant to the testimony of which he complains.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8950

text:
(a) After the hearing the committee shall state its findings of fact. If the committee finds that the respondent has not violated any provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920), it shall order the action dismissed, and shall notify the respondent and complainant thereof and shall also transmit a copy of the complaint and the fact of dismissal to the house in which the respondent serves, the Attorney General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district attorney of the appropriate county. The complaint and the fact of dismissal transmitted pursuant to this subdivision are public records and open to public inspection.

(b) If the committee finds that the respondent has violated any provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920), it shall state its findings of fact and submit a report thereon, which may include any recommendations as to actions which the committee believes would be appropriate to take against the respondent, to the house in which the respondent serves, send a copy of the findings and report to the complainant and respondent, and the committee shall also report thereon to the Attorney General, the Fair Political Practices Commission, and the district attorney of the appropriate county. The report submitted pursuant to this subdivision is a public record and open to public inspection.

(c) The house in which the respondent serves shall have 90 days after the receipt of a copy of the findings and report described in subdivision (b) within which to take action with respect to the respondent and may take no action against a respondent after that time regarding the allegations in the complaint which resulted in the findings and report described in subdivision (b).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 740, Sec. 8.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8951

text: Nothing in this chapter shall preclude any person from instituting a prosecution for violation of any provision of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920) unless that person has filed a complaint with the committee concerning the violation, in which case that person may not file a complaint with the district attorney of the appropriate county to institute a criminal prosecution for the violation until the committee has made its determination of the matter or a period of 120 days has elapsed since the filing of the complaint with the committee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 466, Sec. 58.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8952

text: The filing of a complaint with the committee pursuant to this article suspends the running of the statute of limitations applicable to any violation of the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920) while the complaint is pending.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 466, Sec. 59.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8953

text: The committee shall maintain a record of its investigations, inquiries, and proceedings. All records, complaints, documents, reports filed with or submitted to or made by the committee, and all records and transcripts of any investigations, inquiries or hearings of the committee under this article shall be deemed confidential and shall not be open to inspection by any person other than a member of the committee, an employee of the committee, or a state employee designated to assist the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided in this article. The committee may, by adoption of a resolution, authorize the release to the Attorney General or to the district attorney of the appropriate county of any information, records, complaints, documents, reports, and transcripts in its possession material to any matter pending before the Attorney General or the district attorney. All matters presented at a public hearing of the committee and all reports of the committee stating a final finding of fact pursuant to Section 8950 shall be public records and open to public inspection. Any employee of the committee who divulges any matter which is deemed to be confidential by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8954

text: All actions of the committee shall require the concurrence of two members of the committee from each house.

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8955

text: The committee may render advisory opinions to Members of the Legislature with respect to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 8920) and their application and construction. The committee may secure an opinion from the Legislative Counsel for this purpose or issue its own opinion.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 466, Sec. 60.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 8956

text:
(a) The appropriate legislative ethics committees shall conduct at least semiannually an orientation course of the relevant statutes and regulations governing official conduct. The curriculum and presentation of the course shall be established by house rules.

(b) The committees shall conduct at least semiannually an orientation course on the relevant ethical issues and laws relating to lobbying, in consultation with the Fair Political Practices Commission. The course shall also include information on each house of the Legislature’s policies against harassment, including sexual harassment, in connection with lobbying activities. One of the semiannual courses shall be held prior to June 30 of each year. This course may be combined with the course described in subdivision (a).

(c) At least once in each biennial session, each Member of the Legislature and each designated employee of the Legislature shall attend one of these courses.

(d) The committees shall impose fees on lobbyists for attending the course described in subdivision (b). The fees shall be set at an amount that will enable the lobbyists’ participation in the course to be funded from those fees to the fullest extent possible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 964, Sec. 1. (AB 2055) Effective January 1, 2019.)

article: 3. Joint Legislative Ethics Committee


citation: GOV § 9000

text:
The Legislature consists of:

(a) Forty Senators.

(b) Eighty members of the Assembly.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1943, Ch. 134.)

chapter: 1.5. General

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 1. Numbering and Election of Legislators


citation: GOV § 9001

text: The term of office of a Senator is four years. The term of office of a Member of the Assembly is two years.

article: 1. Numbering and Election of Legislators


citation: GOV § 9002

text: At the general election in every fourth year after 1908 a Senator shall be elected in each odd-numbered senatorial district. At the general election in every fourth year after 1910 a Senator shall be elected in each even-numbered district.


citation: GOV § 9003

text: At the general election in every even-numbered year a Member of the Assembly shall be elected in each of the Assembly districts.


citation: GOV § 9004

text:
When the Legislature convenes or is convened in regular or extraordinary session during or following a war or enemy-caused disaster and vacancies exist to the extent of one-fifth or more of the membership of either house caused by such disaster, either by death, disability or inability to serve, the vacancies shall be temporarily filled as provided in this section. The remaining members of the house in which the vacancies exist, regardless of whether they constitute a quorum of the entire membership thereof, shall by a majority vote of such members appoint a qualified person as a pro tempore member to fill each such vacancy. The Chief Clerk of the Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate or the persons designated to perform their duties, as the case may be, shall certify a statement of each such appointment to the Secretary of State, who shall thereupon issue commissions to such appointees designating them as pro tempore members of the house by which they were appointed.

The appointments shall be so made that each assembly or senatorial district in which a vacancy exists shall be represented, if possible, by a pro tempore member who is a resident of that district and a registered elector of the same political party as of the date of the disaster as the last duly elected member from such district.

Where an elected member is temporarily disabled or unable to serve, such elected member shall resume his office when able, and the pro tempore member appointed in his place under this section shall cease to serve. In other cases, each pro tempore member appointed under this section shall serve until the next election of a member to such office as provided by law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1958, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 60.)


citation: GOV § 9020

text: The Legislature shall convene in regular session at the City of Sacramento at noon on the first Monday in December of each even-numbered year, and each house shall immediately organize.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 91, Sec. 48. Effective January 1, 1996.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 2. Meeting and Organization of the Legislature


citation: GOV § 9021

text: The certificate of election is prima facie evidence of the right to membership.

article: 2. Meeting and Organization of the Legislature


citation: GOV § 9022

text: At the day and hour appointed for the assembling of any regular session of the Legislature, the President of the Senate, or in case of his absence or inability, the senior member present, shall take the chair, call the members and members elect to order, and have the secretary call over the senatorial districts, in their order, from which members have been elected at the preceding election. As the districts are called the members elect shall present their certificates, take the constitutional oath of office, and assume their seats. If a quorum is present, the Senate may then elect its officers.


citation: GOV § 9023

text:
At the day and hour appointed for the assembling of any regular session of the Legislature, the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, or in case of his absence or inability, the senior member elect present, shall take the chair, call the members elect to order, and call over the roll of counties in alphabetical order. As the counties are called the members elect shall present their certificates, take the constitutional oath of office, and assume their seats. If there is more than one senior member elect present and the senior members are unable to agree as to who shall call the session to order, the Attorney General or one of his deputies shall call the session to order.

If a quorum is present, the Assembly shall then elect its officers, and there shall be no other business, motion or resolution considered before the election of the Speaker, save and except a motion to adjourn or a motion for a call of the house.


citation: GOV § 9024

text: Members of the Legislature who did not take the oath of office at the assembling of the Legislature may take the oath at any time during the term for which they were elected.


citation: GOV § 9025

text: An entry of the oath taken by members of the Legislature shall be made on the journals of the proper house.


citation: GOV § 9026

text: All standing committees of either the Senate or Assembly shall be appointed by the presiding officer of their respective house if the house by resolution or its rules does not direct otherwise.


text:
Televised or other audiovisual recordings of public proceedings.

(a) Televised or other audiovisual recordings of the public proceedings of each house of the Legislature and the committees thereof may be used for any legitimate purpose and without the imposition of any fee due to the State or any public agency or public corporation thereof.

(b) The Legislature’s costs of complying with paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 7 and of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 8 of Article IV of the California Constitution shall be included as part of the total aggregate expenditures allowed under Section 7.5 of Article IV of the California Constitution.

history: (History: Amended November 8, 2016, by initiative Proposition 54, Sec. 5.1. Note: A prior version of Section 9026.5 was repealed on September 22, 2016, by Stats. 2016, Ch. 441. The current version was effectively added when the amendment by Proposition 54 took effect on November 9, 2016.)


citation: GOV § 9027

text: Except as otherwise provided in this article, all meetings of a house of the Legislature or a committee thereof shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend the meetings. As used in this article, “meeting” means a gathering of a quorum of the members of a house or committee in one place for the purpose of discussing legislative or other official matters within the jurisdiction of the house or committee. As used in this article, “committee” includes a standing committee, joint committee, conference committee, subcommittee, select committee, special committee, research committee, or any similar body.

history: (History: Repealed (by Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1235, Sec. 2.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 2.2. Open Meetings


citation: GOV § 9028

text: Any meeting that is required to be open and public pursuant to this article, including any closed session held pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 9029, shall be held only after full and timely notice to the public as provided by the Joint Rules of the Assembly and Senate.

history: (History: Repealed (by Sec. 3) and added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1235, Sec. 2.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings


citation: GOV § 9029

text:
(a) A house of the Legislature or a committee thereof may hold a closed session solely for any of the following purposes:

(1) To consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of a public officer or employee, to consider or hear complaints or charges brought against a Member of the Legislature or other public officer or employee, or to establish the classification or compensation of an employee of the Legislature.

(2) To consider matters affecting the safety and security of Members of the Legislature or its employees or the safety and security of any buildings and grounds used by the Legislature.

(3) To confer with, or receive advice from, its legal counsel regarding pending or reasonably anticipated, or whether to initiate, litigation when discussion in open session would not protect the interests of the house or committee regarding the litigation.

(b) A caucus of the Members of the Senate, the Members of the Assembly, or the Members of both houses, which is composed of members of the same political party, may meet in closed session.

history: (History: Repealed (by Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1235, Sec. 2.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings


text:
(a) A closed session may be held pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 9029 under any of the following circumstances:

(1) An adjudicatory proceeding before a court, administrative body exercising its adjudicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator, to which a house of the Legislature or a committee, Member, or employee thereof is a party, has been initiated formally.

(2) Based on existing facts and circumstances, a point has been reached where, in the opinion of a house of the Legislature or a committee thereof, on the advice of its legal counsel, litigation against the house or a committee, Member, or employee thereof is reasonably anticipated.

(3) Based on existing facts and circumstances, a house of the Legislature or a committee thereof has decided to initiate or is deciding whether to initiate litigation.

(4) To confer with, or receive advice from, its legal counsel and negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the house or committee regarding the price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease.

(b) Prior to holding a closed session pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) Section 9029 and this section, the presiding officer of the house or the chair of the committee shall state publicly which paragraph of subdivision (a) is applicable. If the closed session is held pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the presiding officer or chair shall state the title of or otherwise specifically identify the litigation to be discussed, unless the presiding officer or chair states that to do so would jeopardize the ability to effectuate service of process upon one or more unserved parties, or that to do so would jeopardize the ability of the house or the committee to conclude existing settlement negotiations to its advantage. If the closed session is held pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the notice of the closed session shall identify the real property which the negotiations may concern and the person with whom the negotiations may take place.

(c) The legal counsel of the house or the committee shall prepare and submit to the house or the committee a memorandum stating the specific reasons and legal authority for the closed session. If the closed session is held pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the memorandum shall include the title of or other identification of the litigation. If the closed session is held pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a), the memorandum shall set forth the existing facts and circumstances on which the closed session is based. The legal counsel shall submit the memorandum to the house or the committee prior to the closed session, if feasible, or, in any case, not later than one week after the closed session. The memorandum shall be exempt from disclosure under the Legislative Open Records Act (Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 9070) of Chapter 1.5 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2).

(d)For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 9029 and this section, “litigation” includes any adjudicatory proceeding, including eminent domain, before a court, administrative body exercising its adjudicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator.

(e)For purposes of this article, all expressions of the lawyer-client privilege other than those provided in this section are hereby abrogated. This section is the exclusive expression of the lawyer-client privilege for the purposes of conducting closed-session meetings pursuant to this article.

(f) Disclosure of a memorandum required under this section shall not be deemed a waiver of the lawyer-client privilege provided for under Article 3 (commencing with Section 950) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1235, Sec. 2.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings


citation: GOV § 9030

text: Each Member of the Legislature who attends a meeting of the Assembly, the Senate, or any committee or subcommittee thereof, where action is taken in violation of Section 9027, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting is in violation thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1148.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings


citation: GOV § 9031

text: Any interested person may commence an action by mandamus, injunction, or declaratory relief for the purpose of stopping or preventing violations or threatened violations of this article by Members of the Legislature or to determine the applicability of this article to actions or threatened future action of a house of the Legislature or a committee thereof.

history: (History: Repealed (by Sec. 5) and added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1235, Sec. 2.)

article: 2.2. Open Meetings


citation: GOV § 9035

text: As used in this article, “disaster” means a war or enemy-caused calamity within this State, such as an attack by nuclear weapons.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1958, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 75.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 2.5. Legislative Session After War or Enemy-Caused Disaster


citation: GOV § 9036

text: If a disaster occurs, the Legislature shall convene itself in special session immediately after such disaster first occurs, which session shall convene at the permanent seat of government in the City of Sacramento or at the temporary seat of government as established by law if the session cannot be held in the City of Sacramento. At such special session the Legislature may fill any vacancies in its membership, pursuant to law, and may consider and act upon any subject of legislation that is designed to relieve or alleviate the consequences of such disaster or to restore or continue state and local government in connection therewith, together with such other subjects within the scope of legislative regulation or control as are specified by concurrent resolution adopted by both houses of the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1968, Ch. 312.)

article: 2.5. Legislative Session After War or Enemy-Caused Disaster


citation: GOV § 9037

text: If the Legislature is convened in special session pursuant to this article on the date specified by the State Constitution for the convening of a regular session, the Legislature may convene in such regular session without adjourning the special session or it may provide by concurrent resolution that the subjects to be considered at the regular session may be acted upon at the special session, and in such case the regular session shall not be convened.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 9038 by Stats. 1968, Ch. 312.)


citation: GOV § 9050

text: Every person who wilfully, and by force or fraud, prevents the Legislature, either of the houses composing it, or any of the members thereof from meeting or organizing is guilty of a felony.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9051

text: Every person who wilfully disturbs the Legislature, or either of the houses composing it, while in session, or who commits any disorderly conduct in the immediate view and presence of either house tending to interrupt its proceedings or impair the respect due to its authority is guilty of a misdemeanor.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


text: As used in this article, “bill or resolution” includes a constitutional amendment.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1134, Sec. 1.)

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9052

text: Every person who fraudulently alters the draft of any bill or resolution which has been presented to either of the houses composing the Legislature for passage or adoption, with intent to procure it to be passed or adopted by either house, or certified by the presiding officer of either house, in language different from that intended by such house, is guilty of a felony.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9053

text: Every person who fraudulently alters the enrolled copy of any bill or resolution which has been passed or adopted by the Legislature, with intent to procure it to be approved by the Governor, certified by the Secretary of State, or printed or published by the State in language different from that in which it was passed or adopted by the Legislature is guilty of a felony.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


text:
(a) Every person who intentionally, maliciously, with knowledge of the falsity, and with intent to defame a particular legislator, publishes or causes to be published any writing which purports to be a facsimile of an actual bill or resolution, or any part thereof, of the California Legislature, which is not an exact copy of a bill or resolution, or part thereof, which has been introduced in the Legislature, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) This section shall not apply to the print media, the electronic media, or to news services.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1134, Sec. 2.)

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9054

text: Every person who obtains, or seeks to obtain, money or other thing of value from another person upon a pretense, claim, or representation that he can or will improperly influence in any manner the action of any member of a legislative body in regard to any vote or legislative matter, is guilty of a felony. Upon the trial no person otherwise competent as a witness may be excused from testifying concerning the offense charged on the grounds that the testimony may criminate himself, or subject him to public infamy. The testimony shall not afterwards be used against him in any judicial proceeding except for perjury in giving the testimony.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9055

text: Every member of the Legislature convicted of any crime defined in this article, in addition to the punishment prescribed, forfeits his office and is forever disqualified from holding any office in the State.

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9056

text: Any person who shall secure through his influence, knowingly exerted for that purpose, the introduction of any bill, resolution or amendment into the State Legislature and shall thereafter solicit or accept from any person other than a person upon whose request he secured such introduction, any pay or other valuable consideration for preventing or attempting to prevent, the enactment or adoption of such measure, while it retains its original purpose, shall be guilty of a crime and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 132. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

article: 3. Crimes Against the Legislative Power


citation: GOV § 9070

text: The Legislature finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business by the Legislature is a fundamental and necessary right of every citizen in this state.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 1246.)

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9071

text: This article shall be known and may be cited as the Legislative Open Records Act.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9072

text:
As used in this article:

(a) “Person” includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.

(b) “Legislature” includes any Member of the Legislature, any legislative officer, any standing, joint, or select committee or subcommittee of the Senate and Assembly, and any other agency or employee of the Legislature.

(c) “Legislative records” means any writing prepared on or after December 2, 1974, which contains information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by the Legislature.

(d) “Writing” means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, and every other means of recording upon any form of communication or representation, including letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, and other documents.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1010, Sec. 139. Effective January 1, 1995.)

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9073

text: Legislative records are open to inspection at all times during the normal office hours of the Legislature and any person has a right to inspect any legislative record, except as hereafter provided. Any person shall be furnished reasonable opportunities for inspection of legislative records and reasonable facilities for making memoranda or abstracts therefrom. Any person may receive a copy of a legislative record if such record is of a nature permitting such copying. The Legislature may establish fees reasonably calculated to reimburse it for its actual cost in making such copies available, provided such fee shall not exceed ten cents ($0.10) per page.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9074

text:
All requests to inspect any legislative record shall be made to the appropriate Rules Committee of each house of the Legislature or the Joint Rules Committee, except that all requests to inspect any legislative record in the possession of the Auditor General shall be made to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Such committees shall be considered to have custody of all legislative records and shall be responsible for making all legislative records available for inspection. Such committees shall promptly inform any person whether any legislative record shall be made available for inspection. Such legislative records shall be made available for inspection promptly and without unnecessary delay. Whenever such committee withholds any legislative record from inspection, within four working days of the request to inspect such record, the committee shall justify in writing the withholding of such record by demonstrating that the record in question is exempt under the express provisions of this article or that on the facts of the particular case the public interest served by not making the record public clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record, provided that when the Legislature is not in session, such committee shall furnish such written justification within 10 working days of the request to inspect such record. The Rules Committee of each house, the Joint Rules Committee, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall adopt written guidelines stating the procedures to be followed when making legislative records available for inspection.

The amendment of this section made at the 1981–82 Regular Session of the Legislature does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, the existing law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 1168, Sec. 1.)

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9075

text:
Nothing in this article shall be construed to invalidate or affect the operation of Sections 10207, 10208, 10525, and 10526 of this code, or Temporary Joint Rule 37 of the Senate and Assembly in effect on the effective date of this article, or to require the disclosure of records that are any of the following:

(a) Preliminary drafts, notes, or legislative memoranda, except as provided in Section 9080.

(b) Records pertaining to pending litigation to which the Legislature is a party, or to claims made pursuant to Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1, until the litigation or claim has been finally adjudicated or otherwise settled.

(c) Personnel, medical, or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, provided that the Senate Committee on Rules, the Assembly Committee on Rules, or the Joint Rules Committee shall determine whether disclosure of these records constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

(d) Records pertaining to the names and phone numbers of senders and recipients of telephone and telegraph communications, provided that records of the total charges for any such communication shall be open for inspection.

(e) Records pertaining to the name and location of recipients of automotive fuel or lubricants expenditures, provided that records of the total charges for those expenditures shall be open for inspection.

(f) In the custody of or maintained by the Legislative Counsel, except those records in the public data base maintained by the Legislative Counsel that are described in Section 10248. Legislative records shall not be transferred to the custody of the Legislative Counsel to evade the disclosure provisions of this chapter.

(g) In the custody of or maintained by the majority and minority caucuses and majority and minority consultants of each house of the Legislature, provided that legislative records shall not be transferred to the custody of the majority and minority caucuses and majority and minority consultants of each house of the Legislature to evade the disclosure provisions of this chapter.

(h) Correspondence of and to individual Members of the Legislature and their staff, except as provided in Section 9080.

(i) Records the disclosure of which is exempted or prohibited pursuant to provisions of federal or state law, including, but not limited to, provisions of the Evidence Code relating to privilege.

(j) Communications from private citizens to the Legislature, except as provided in Section 9080.

(k) Records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of security procedures of, the Legislature.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 928, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9076

text: Any person may institute proceedings for injunctive or declarative relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce his right to inspect any legislative record or class of legislative records under this article. The times for responsive pleadings and for hearings in such proceedings shall be set by the judge of the court with the object of securing a decision as to such matters at the earliest possible time.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9077

text:
Whenever it is made to appear by verified petition to the superior court of the county where the records or some part thereof are situated that certain legislative records are being improperly withheld from a member of the public, the court shall order the committee charged with withholding the records to disclose the legislative record or show cause why the committee should not do so. The court shall decide the case after examining the record in camera, if permitted by subdivision (b) of Section 915 of the Evidence Code, papers filed by the parties and such oral argument and additional evidence as the court may allow.

If the court finds that the committee’s decision to refuse disclosure is not justified under the provisions of Section 9074 or 9075, he shall order the committee to make the record available for inspection. If the judge determines that the committee was justified in refusing to make the record available for inspection, he shall return the item to the committee without disclosing its content with an order supporting the decision refusing disclosure. Any person who fails to obey the order of the court shall be cited to show cause why he is not in contempt of court.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9078

text: The court shall award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the plaintiff should the plaintiff prevail in litigation filed pursuant to Section 9077.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9079

text: If the court finds that the plaintiff’s case is clearly frivolous, it shall award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the public agency.

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9080

text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that legislative records relating to bills, resolutions, or proposed constitutional amendments before the Legislature provide evidence of legislative intent that may be important in the subsequent interpretation of laws enacted in the Legislature. The Rules Committee of each house of the Legislature and the Joint Rules Committee shall inform each committee of the Senate and Assembly, and each joint committee of the Legislature, of their responsibility to preserve legislative records and make them available to the public.

(b) Each committee of the Senate or Assembly, and each joint committee of the Legislature, having custody of legislative records relating to a bill, resolution, or proposed constitutional amendment assigned to that committee, shall maintain the legislative records described in subdivision (d) in an official committee file. The committee shall preserve those records in its custody, or, in the alternative, may arrange with the State Archives to lodge some or all of the records there under the condition that the records be preserved.

(c) “Committee” for purposes of this section includes any entity of the Senate or Assembly responsible for preparing analyses of bills, resolutions, or proposed constitutional amendments that are to be put to a vote by a quorum of the members of the Senate or Assembly.

(d) “Legislative records,” for purposes of this section, means records contained in an official committee file, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Committee staff analyses.

(2) Written testimony.

(3) Background material submitted to the committee.

(4) Press releases.

(5) Written commentary submitted to the committee on a bill, resolution, or proposed constitutional amendment. For purposes of this paragraph, “written commentary” does not include the following:

(A) Material not utilized by the staff of a fiscal committee in the preparation of any analysis for the members of that committee.

(B) Communications determined by the committee or its staff to be confidential.

(6) Versions of bills, resolutions, or proposed constitutional amendments assigned to the committee.

(7) Relevant interim hearing materials, studies, case materials, and articles.

(e) Legislative records contained in an official committee file shall be open to inspection and copying by the public, pursuant to Sections 9073 and 9074. Each committee of the Senate or Assembly, and each joint committee of the Legislature, shall adopt and implement written procedures consistent with Sections 9073 and 9074 for the public’s access to official committee files maintained in the committee’s office. The procedures shall provide for the time, place, and other conditions under which committee files may be inspected and copied. Each committee shall make copies of its written procedures available to the public.

(f) The Rules Committee of each house of the Legislature or, alternatively, the Joint Rules Committee shall provide for the storage of any official committee file that is not maintained in the office of the committee that created the file or lodged with the State Archives. The Rules Committees of each house of the Legislature or the Joint Rules Committee, as the case may be, shall adopt and implement written procedures consistent with Section 9073 for the public’s access to official committee files so stored in its custody. The procedures shall provide for the time, place, and other conditions under which committee files may be inspected and copied, and the committee shall make copies of its written procedures available to the public.

(g) Nothing in this section requires making any legislative record available for inspection that relates to any unchaptered bill, resolution, or proposed constitutional amendment introduced in the current legislative session, except in accordance with the requirements and limitations specified in Sections 9073, 9074, and 9075.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 928, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 3.5. Legislative Open Records Act


citation: GOV § 9100

text: Legislative offices for the use of the Members of the Legislature in the performance of their legislative duties, shall be maintained at all times, and without regard to whether the Legislature is or is not in session, in the State Building in Los Angeles, in the State Building in San Francisco, in San Diego, and in a state building in Alameda County.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1947, Ch. 1552.)

article: 4. Legislative Offices

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 4. Legislative Offices


citation: GOV § 9101

text: The legislative offices provided for in this article shall be under the management and control of the Senate Committee on Rules.

article: 4. Legislative Offices


citation: GOV § 9103

text: The Department of General Services shall provide suitable office space in the State Building in Los Angeles and in the State Building in San Francisco and in an appropriate building in San Diego County and in a state building in Alameda County for the offices provided for in this article, and shall provide for the maintenance and upkeep of the same.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 371.)

article: 4. Legislative Offices


citation: GOV § 9104

text: Appropriations for the support of the offices provided for in this article shall be included in the Budget Bill.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 1012.)

article: 4. Legislative Offices


citation: GOV § 9105

text: The State Capitol Building Annex is the annex to the historic State Capitol, constructed to the east of the original building, situated in the area bounded by 10th, L, 15th and N Streets in the City of Sacramento.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1757, Sec. 2. Effective October 1, 1984.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 2. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.5. General > 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


text:
(a) Any work of construction, restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, or reconstruction undertaken pursuant to Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 9112) shall do all of the following:

(1) Incorporate elements complementary to the historic State Capitol, elements to make the newly constructed State Capitol Building Annex or the restored, rehabilitated, renovated, or reconstructed State Capitol Building Annex efficient and sustainable, and historic elements from the existing State Capitol Building Annex described in Section 9105.

(2) Integrate within its design elements that educate and impress upon visitors the rich heritage of symbolism that earlier generations of Californians made a vital part of the palette of the historic State Capitol design so as to convey the meaning of California’s self-governance and the state’s unique and ever-distinctive heritage.

(3) Incorporate symbolic treasures, as is befitting the heritage of symbols left by California’s founders for current and future generations to enjoy and explore, so as to ensure that the legislative and executive branch working spaces in the newly constructed State Capitol Building Annex or the restored, rehabilitated, renovated, or reconstructed State Capitol Building Annex are no longer barren and devoid of the enriching presence of those symbols of self-governance.

(4) Incorporate a mural honoring Native Americans in California in one of the main hearing rooms in the newly constructed State Capitol Building Annex or the restored, rehabilitated, renovated, or reconstructed State Capitol Building Annex. The mural shall be designed in consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission to ensure that it contains accurate depictions of Native Americans in California.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that any newly constructed State Capitol Building Annex or the restored, rehabilitated, renovated, or reconstructed State Capitol Building Annex be designed to welcome all visitors to a safe, healthful, accessible, and working State Capitol, including historic chambers supported by needed caucusing spaces, offices for the Chief Clerk of the Assembly, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Legislative Counsel, hearing spaces to facilitate the convenient conduct of hearings during sessions, and space for the Sergeants at Arms, so that all Californians may effectively engage with their elected representatives and their state government in meaningful, participatory, and deliberative democracy.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 60. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9106

text: The State Capitol Building Annex is intended primarily for the use of the legislative department and, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall be devoted exclusively to such use.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1757, Sec. 3. Effective October 1, 1984.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9107

text: There is hereby created the Joint Rules Committee which shall have the membership specified in the Joint Rules of the Senate and the Assembly. The committee herein created has a continuing existence and may meet and act during sessions of the Legislature or any recess thereof and in the interim periods between sessions. The provisions of the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly relating to investigating committees shall apply to the committee herein created and it shall have all the powers and authority provided in said rules, in Section 11 of Article IV of the Constitution of California, and in this article. Any action of the committee shall require an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Senate members and a majority of the Assembly members of the committee.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 618.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


text: Any reference in any code or statute to the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization shall be deemed a reference to the Joint Rules Committee.

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9108

text: The first floor of the State Capitol Building Annex is excepted from the provisions of this article. Such excepted space shall continue under the control of the Department of General Services. All other space in the State Capitol Building Annex shall be allocated from time to time by the Joint Rules Committee in accordance with its determination of the needs of the Legislature and the two houses thereof. The committee shall allocate such space as it determines to be necessary for facilities and agencies dealing with the Legislature as a whole including, but not limited to, press quarters, billrooms, telephone rooms, and offices for the Legislative Counsel and for committees created by the two houses jointly. The committee shall allocate to the Senate and Assembly, respectively, the space it determines to be needed by those houses and their committees and the officers, employees, and attachés thereof. The space thus allocated to the Senate and to the Assembly shall be allotted from time to time by the Senate Rules Committee and the Assembly Rules Committee, respectively.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1757, Sec. 4. Effective October 1, 1984.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9109

text: The determination of the Joint Rules Committee as to the needs of the Legislature shall be subject to change only by action of the committee or by concurrent resolution. If, at any time, the committee determines that there is space in the State Capitol Building Annex in excess of the needs of the legislative branch of the state government, it may release that space for use by the executive branch of the state government until such time as the space is needed by the legislative branch. The release shall be effected by notifying the Director of General Services that certain described space is not necessary for the use by the Legislature for the time being. Thereafter, the Department of General Services, until such time as the Director of General Services is notified that the space has become needed by the legislative branch, shall have the same jurisdiction over the excess space as if this article had not been enacted.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1757, Sec. 5. Effective October 1, 1984.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9110

text:
(a) The maintenance and operation of all of the State Capitol Building Annex is under the control of the Department of General Services, subject to this article.

(b) Security of the State Capitol Building Annex is the responsibility of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 305, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 1997.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex


citation: GOV § 9111

text:
The Joint Rules Committee may participate in the work of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The following Members of the Legislature are authorized to act as members of the committee for the purpose of attending meetings of the conference: (1) the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and one Member of the Senate from each of the two major political parties, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and (2) the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, Majority Floor Leader, and Minority Floor Leader of the Assembly, and the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Rules.

The committee may pay annually from the Operating Funds of the Assembly and Senate its proportionate share of the expenses of the National Conference of State Legislatures, in participation with other states, to the extent that funds are appropriated for that purpose.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 77. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 5. The State Capitol Building Annex