California legislators go back to 2019 session

The California Capitol saw 120 California legislators assemble Jan. 7, to begin the 2019-2020 session. Almost 3,000 bills will probably be introduced over the next few weeks. Some will be controversial, though I’m hoping that many important issues that face the state, regardless of party, including disaster preparedness, water infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, education and many more, will generate bipartisan solutions.

Proposals for new legislation must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel’s office by Jan. 25 so that bill language can be drafted by Feb. 22, this year’s final introduction deadline.

The first stop for new legislation will be the Rules Committee, which assigns bills to policy committees based on subject matter and committee jurisdiction. Bills are normally assigned to more than one committee and must pass each committee and be approved by their full house of origin by May 31. If approved, bills are referred to the alternate house where the process begins once again.

The last day that any bill can be considered in 2019 is Sept. 13. The committee system often means the final floor vote is the only time that members who are not assigned to a bill’s specific committee actually see the bill. Once approved by both houses, bills are forwarded to the governor, who has until Oct. 13 to sign or veto legislation.

The legislators also have to pass a new state budget by June 15 and, as always, it’s going to be busy.

As Assembly Republican Leader, I will be working closely with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, tackling critical issues the state and region face. I’m looking forward to a productive new year in Sacramento.

Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center and Vista.