Both the California Senate and Assembly convened the 2025-26 Legislative Session with formal swearing-in ceremonies and elections of leaders. Senator McGuire remains as the Senate President Pro Tempore and Assemblymember Rivas remains as Assembly Speaker.
In the Senate, 20 Senators were sworn-in yesterday, including 12 new members. The Senate is currently operating with 39 members as we await a special election to fill the vacancy created by Senator Janet Nguyen being elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
In the Assembly, all 80 Assemblymembers were sworn-in yesterday of which 23 are new members. The Assembly is currently operating with 79 members as we await a special election to fill the vacancy created by former Assemblymember Vince Fong being elected to Congress.
The California Legislature now has a record number of women elected across both houses and gender parity has been secured in the Senate.
Amongst the celebratory activities, Legislators also began introducing bills. In total, 128 measures were introduced yesterday. Notably both houses have adopted rule changes for this year limiting the bill introduction limit per member to 35 bills for the 2-year session. This number is down from the previous limit of 40 in the Senate and 50 in the Assembly.
Both houses have now adjourned until Monday, January 6, 2025, when the 2025-26 Legislative Session will ramp up for the year.
Below is a list of key legislative deadlines in early 2025:
- January 6th – Legislature reconvenes
- January 10th – Governor’s Proposed budget submitted
- February 21st – Bill introduction deadline
- April 10th-21st – Spring Recess
- May 16th – 1st House Policy Committee deadline
The Legislature also convened the previously called special session “to provide additional funding to the California Department of Justice and other agencies, departments, boards, and offices…to support the ability to immediately file affirmative litigation challenging actions taken by the incoming Trump Administration.” Governor Newsom announced his $25 million proposal for a legal defense fund to defend against potential Trump Administration decisions and policies. Both the Senate and the Assembly have introduced bills to advance the Governor’s proposal.
