Final bill introduction deadline is around the corner

Assemblymember Marie Waldron

Assembly District 75 (R)

This year’s deadline for final bill introduction is fast approaching. All potential new bills must be drafted by the Legislative Counsel’s office this month so that final legislation can be introduced by the Feb. 27 deadline.

This is the time of year we start to get inklings about what the new legislative session may entail. Rumors about what’s being introduced, requests from colleagues to co-author legislation, and media reports about new bill proposals all start to circulate. It is possible that by the end of February around 1,000 new bills may be introduced.

Many of these will die quickly, often pulled by their author when they fail to generate support. Many more will create no controversy whatsoever, and will eventually pass by an overwhelming margin.

Bills being introduced this year include legislation requiring school children to be immunized, raising California’s minimum wage (again), and a bill that would strengthen California’s already stringent emissions regulations. Other legislation would require parental notification when minors seek abortions, and still another establishing the legal right for doctor-assisted suicides.

Less controversial bills are also on the table. One would encourage families to save for their children’s education through tax incentives, while another attempts to reform perceived flaws in the state’s election recount process.

Obviously, many of these bills will soon be generating debate and commanding public attention. The Legislative Counsel’s office has a lot of work to complete by the end of the month. When that work is finished, the Legislature’s work begins in earnest.