Proposed Constitutional Amendments by the Legislature

Proposed Constitutional Amendments by the Legislature By Chris Micheli

            While the People can propose additions, amendments, and repeals of provisions of the California Constitution, the Legislature can also propose changes to the state Constitution. These are done through either Senate Constitutional Amendments or Assembly Constitutional Amendments. SCAs and ACAs must be passed by at least a 2/3 vote of the Assembly and Senate before they can be placed before the voters for adoption. As opposed to bills, SCAs and ACAs are not presented to the Governor for final actions.

            The following provides the numbers of proposed constitutional amendments introduced in the Senate and Assembly over the past sixteen years (8 sessions) for consideration:

2023-24 Session

SCAs – 10

ACAs – 23

Total: 33

2021-22 Session

SCAs – 10

ACAs – 16

Total: 26

2019-2020 Session

SCAs – 10

ACAs – 26

Total: 36

2017-18 Session

SCAs – 24

ACAs – 32

Total: 56

2015-16 Session

SCAs – 14

ACAs – 13

Total: 27

2013-14 Session

SCAs – 17

ACAs – 13

Total: 30

2011-12 Session

SCAs – 22

ACAs – 29

Total: 51

2009-10 Session

SCAs – 33

ACAs – 37

Total: 70

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