What Is Being Amended When a Bill Gets Amended Multiple Times?

What Is Being Amended When a Bill Gets Amended Multiple Times? By Chris Micheli

            When a bill is introduced and it adds a new code section, that new law is in regular font. When a bill is introduced and it amends an existing code section, the amended language is in italics. When a bill is introduced and it repeals an existing code section, the repealed language is in strikeout. As a result, the introduced bill shows the proposed changes that would be made in the LAW by the bill.

            But what happens when the language of the introduced bill is changed? Or, what happens when the bill is amended a second, third, or even fourth time? Those additional amendments to the BILL are based upon the last amended version of the bill. What does that mean?

            When the bill above is first amended, all of the section that was in strikeout as introduced is not deleted from the bill. All of the section that was in italics in the bill as introduced is now in regular font. As a result, when a bill is amended, future additions to the law (either being added or amended in the earlier version of the bill) or future repeals of the law are between the bill as amended and the last previous version of the bill.

            Therefore, the strikeout and italics show only the difference between the bill as amended and the last previous version of the bill, when the bill has been amended after its introduced version. An amended bill, in other words, does not show the strikeout and italics that the changes which the bill would make in the LAW, but only the changes which are made in the last previous version of the BILL.

            Nonetheless, when reviewing a bill that has been amended one or multiple times, and you are viewing the bill on the California Legislative Information website (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/), click on the tab titled, “Today's Law As Amended,” and it will show in italics and strikeout what is being changed from existing law.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another Reason to Limit Bill Introductions?

Another Reason to Limit Bill Introductions?  By Chris Micheli             As I did my final review of Governor Newsom’s actions on the 1,046 bills sent to him after the 2023 Legislative Session, I noticed that some of the Governor’s veto messages provide additional rationales for limiting bill introductions.             Out of 156 vetoes from the 2023 Session, the number one reason for the Governor’s veto was budget concerns or cost pressures. In fact, 41% of the vetoes used that basis. That by itself is not a reason to limit bill introductions, but another statistic may provide such a reason…             By my count, just over 1/3 of the bills vetoed by Governor Newsom likely should not have been sent to his Desk and, arguably, should not have made it through the process at all. In fact, perhaps they should not h...
Read more

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Budget Process

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Budget Process  By Chris Micheli             What are the main parts of the California state budget? They are the Budget Bill, Budget Bill Junior, Trailer Bills, and Supplemental Reports.             What is the Budget Bill? This bill contains the appropriations and “Budget Bill Language”. Note that only a Budget Bill (or BBJ) can contain multiple appropriations. It requires a majority vote for passage and the bill takes effect immediately. There is just one Budget Bill. What is the “Budget Bill Jr.”? This is the bill that amends the main Budget Bill by making changes to multiple appropriations. There are often multiple BBJs. What is a Trailer Bill? This bill makes the statutory changes needed to implement the budget. It is the same as any other bill, but it takes effect immediately with a majority vote if it contain...
Read more

Can Any Bill Call an Election?

Can Any Bill Call an Election?  By Chris Micheli             In June 2024, we saw two bills that contain a provision to call an election.             Both bills contain a “plus” section at the end of the bill, which is an uncodified statute, stating the following: “this act calls an election within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.” Such a measure only requires a majority vote, unless some other constitutional provision requires a higher vote threshold (e.g., a tax increase). What is the basis for this statement? Section 8(c)(3) of Article IV of the state Constitution provides: “ Statutes calling elections, statutes providing for tax levies or appropriations for the usual current expenses of the State, and urgency statutes shall go into effect immediately upon their enactment.” However, there is no further gui...
Read more