With the legislative recess behind us, California has officially kicked off its two-year legislative session. Lawmakers were sworn in on December 1, setting the stage for what promises to be an impactful term. Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time by calling a Special Session, focusing on protecting Californians from potential federal overreach. The Governor has set a clear deadline for this Special Session to wrap up by January 20, 2025, emphasizing the urgency of this matter.
This session marks a period of transition for the legislature, with 35 new members joining the Assembly and Senate. Of these, 23 will serve in the Assembly, and 12 in the Senate—including eight former assemblymembers stepping into their new roles as senators. This fresh wave of lawmakers combines new perspectives with seasoned expertise, providing a balanced approach to tackling the issues ahead.
Notably, California has reached a historic milestone in representation: women now account for 49% of the legislature, with 59 women serving this session. This is double the number of women who served just seven years ago. Such progress reflects a growing commitment to gender equity, bringing diverse viewpoints and priorities to the legislative table.
While the legislature is nearly complete, two Republican-held seats remain vacant—one in the Assembly and one in the Senate. These positions are expected to be filled through special elections and should be filled the end of the first quarter of 2025. Although these races could shift the dynamics slightly, Democrats will retain their supermajority status regardless of the results.
The session began with a flurry of legislative activity. On December 1, lawmakers introduced 96 new bills, followed by 15 more in the first week of December. Hot topics include artificial intelligence, social media regulation, and transportation fuels, reflecting the state’s focus on addressing emerging technologies and environmental sustainability.
One major procedural change this year is a reduction in the number of bills legislators can introduce. Assemblymembers are now limited to 35 bills per session, down from 50, while senators face a similar cap of 35, reduced from 40. This adjustment is expected to lower the total number of bills introduced over a two-year session by about 1,400, streamlining the process and allowing lawmakers to dedicate more attention to each proposal.
As this session unfolds, it will be interesting to see how lawmakers navigate these changes while addressing both immediate challenges and long-term priorities. With new leadership, unprecedented female representation, and a more focused legislative framework, California is poised for a transformative year ahead.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on the developments and will provide updates on key legislation throughout the year. Here’s to a productive 2025!
Until next time,
Adam A. Ruiz
Vice President
Rincon Strategies