Governmental Affairs

On behalf of the judicial branch, the Judicial Council's Governmental Affairs represents and advocates for the Judicial Council on legislative, policy, and budget matters. The office also works extensively on the judicial branch budget and related matters, meeting with legislators, committees, committee and leadership staff, as well as staff for the Governor and the state Department of Finance.

Court-Related Legislation

Search for active court-related legislation, view published letters and positions the Judicial Council has taken on legislation, or consult annual summaries of new laws that affect the court or are of general interest to the court community.

Liaison & Outreach Activities

Learn about governmental affairs liaison and outreach programs:

2024 Legislative Calendar

Date Legislative Deadlines
January 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
January 3 Legislature reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
January 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor (Art. IV, Sec. 12(a)).
January 12 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(1)).
January 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
January 19 Last day for any committee to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year. (J.R. 61(b)(2)). Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.
January 31 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year (Art. IV, Sec. 10(c)) (J.R. 61(b)(3)).
February 16 Last day for bills to be introduced (J.R. 61(b)(4), J.R. 54(a)).
February 19 Presidents’ Day.
March 21 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(b)(1)).
March 29 Cesar Chavez Day observed.
April 1 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(5)).
April 26 Last day for each house to pass bills (J.R. 61(a)(14)). Interim Study Recess begins at the end of this day’s session (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
May 3 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the Floor nonfiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(6)).
May 10 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to May 28 (J.R. 61(b)(7)).
May 17 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61 (b)(8)). Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to May 28 (J.R. 61 (b)(9)).
May 20-24 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose except for Rules Committee, bills referred pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, and Conference Committees (J.R. 61(b)(10)).
May 24 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house (J.R. 61(b)(11)).
May 27 Memorial Day.
May 28 Committee meetings may resume (J.R. 61(b)(12)).
June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 12(c)).
June 27 Last day for a legislative measure to qualify for the Nov. 5 General Election ballot (Elections Code Sec. 9040).
July 3 Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(b)(13)). Summer Recess begins upon adjournment, provided Budget Bill has been passed (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
July 4 Independence Day.
August 5 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
August 16 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(b)(14)).
August 19-31 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose except Rules Committee, bills referred pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, and Conference Committees (J.R. 61(b)(15)).
August 23 Last day to amend bills on the Floor (J.R. 61(b)(16)).
August 31 Last day for each house to pass bills (Art. IV, Sec 10(c), J.R. 61(b)(17)). Final Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(b)(3)).
September 30 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature before Sept. 1 and in the Governor’s possession on or after Sept. 1 (Art. IV, Sec. 10(b)(2)).
October 2 Bills enacted on or before this date take effect January 1, 2025. (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
November 5 General Election.
November 30 Adjournment sine die at midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)).
December 2 2025–26 Regular Session convenes for Organizational Session at 12 noon. (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)).

View today's legislative calendar:
Assembly | Senate