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The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature, the lower house being the California State Assembly. The state senate convenes, along with the state assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
California State Senate | |
|---|---|
| California State Legislature | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | Elected before 2012: 2 terms (8 years) Elected 2012 and after: 3 terms (12 years) |
| History | |
New session started | December 5, 2022 |
| Leadership | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority
Democratic (31)
Minority Republican (9) |
Length of term | 4 years |
| Authority | Article 4, California Constitution |
| Salary | $114,877/year + $211 per diem |
| Elections | |
| Nonpartisan blanket primary | |
Last election | November 5, 2024 (20 seats) |
Next election | November 3, 2026 (20 seats) |
| Redistricting | California Citizens Redistricting Commission |
| Motto | |
| Senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri ("It is a senator's duty to protect the liberty of the people.") | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| State Senate Chamber California State Capitol Sacramento, California | |
| Website | |
| California State Senate | |
| Rules | |
| Standing Rules of the Senate | |
Due to a combination of the state's large population and a legislature that has not been expanded since the ratification of the 1879 constitution,[1] the State Senate has the largest population per state senator ratio of any state legislative house. In the United States House of Representatives, California is apportioned 52 U.S. representatives, each representing approximately 750,564 people,[2] while in the California State Senate, each of the 40 state senators represents approximately 931,349 people; almost exactly the population of the entire state of Delaware.[3] This means that California state senators each represent more people than California's members of the House of Representatives, and more than that of five entire U.S. states.
In the current legislative session, the Democratic Party holds 31 out of the 40 seats, which constitutes a 78% majority—well over the two-thirds supermajority threshold of 27.
History
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The 1849 constitution of California provided that the "number of Senators shall not be less than one third, nor more than one half of that of the members of the Assembly..."[4] The 1849 constitution also provided that senators served two-year terms and were to be elected bienally, with the total number of senators being divided into two classes so that one half of the senators would be elected annually.[4]
Following the ratification of the 1879 constitution of California, the constitution prescribed that the senate is composed of 40 senators and that all senators must have resided within California for three years and their district for one year.[5] Such districts were to be "as nearly equal in population as may be, and composed of contiguous territory". There was to be one senate district for each senator. Such districts were also required to preserve political boundaries: "In the formation of such districts, no county, or city and county, shall be divided, unless it contain a sufficient population within itself to form two or more districts; nor shall a part of any county, or of any city and county, be united with any other county, or city and county, in forming any district."[6]
Between 1933 and 1967, state legislative districts were drawn according to the "Little Federal Model" by which Assembly seats were drawn according to population and senate seats were drawn according to county lines.[7] The guidelines were that no senate district would include more than three counties and none would include less than one complete county. This led to the situation of a populous county such as Los Angeles County (1960 population of 6 million) being accorded the same number of state senators (one) as less populous counties such as Alpine County (1960 pop. 397). The senate districts remained unaltered from 1933 to 1967, regardless of the changes in the population distribution. In Reynolds v. Sims, the United States Supreme Court compelled all states to draw up districts with equal population. As such, boundaries were changed to comply with the ruling.
The California State Senate has never been expanded since the enactment of the 1879 constitution. In 1962, voters were asked via initiative California Proposition 23 whether to expand the state senate by 10 seats, thereby increasing the size of the body to 50 seats, and to abandon the little federal model.[8] This proposition was rejected by the voters 46.65% - 53.35% (2,181,758 - 2,495,440).[9]
Leadership
editThe lieutenant governor is the ex officio president of the senate, and may only cast a vote to break a tie. The president pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus, followed by confirmation of the full senate. Other leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses according to each party's strength in the chamber.
As of 2024, the president pro tempore is Democrat Mike McGuire of Geyserville. The minority leader is Republican Brian Jones of Santee.
Terms of office
editEach state senator represents a population roughly equivalent to the State of Delaware. As a result of Proposition 140 in 1990 and Proposition 28 in 2012, members elected to the legislature prior to 2012 are restricted by term limits to two four-year terms (eight years), while those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years in the legislature in any combination of four-year state senate or two-year state assembly terms.[10]
Members of the state senate serve four-year terms. Every two years, half of the senate's 40 seats are subject to election. This is in contrast to the state assembly, in which all 80 seats in the assembly are subject to election every two years.
Meeting chamber
editThe red tones of the California State Senate chamber are based on the British House of Lords, which is outfitted in a similar color. The dais rests along a wall shaped like an "E", with its central projection housing the rostrum. The lower tier dais runs across the entire chamber, there are several chairs and computers used by the senate officers, the most prominent seat is reserved for the secretary who calls the roll. The higher tier is smaller, with three chairs, the two largest and most ornate chairs are used by the president pro tempore (right chair) and the lieutenant governor (left chair). The third and smallest chair, placed in the center, is used by the presiding officer (acting in place of the pro tem) and is rarely sat in as the president is expected to stand. There are four other chairs flanking the dais used by the highest non-member officials attending the senate, a foreign dignitary or state officer for example. Each of the 40 senators is provided a desk, microphone and two chairs, one for the senator, another for guests or legislative aides. Almost every decorating element is identical to the assembly chamber. Along the cornice appears a portrait of George Washington and the Latin quotation senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri ("It is the duty of the senator to guard the civil liberties of the Commonwealth").
Composition
edit| ↓ | ||
| 31 | 9 | |
| Democratic | Republican | |
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | Vacant | |||
| End of previous legislature | 31 | 9 | 40 | 0 | |
| Begin | 31 | 8 | 39 | 1 | |
| December 8, 2023[11] | 32 | 8 | 40 | 0 | |
| Current[12] | 31 | 9 | |||
| Latest voting share | 78% | 23% | |||
Past composition of the Senate
editOfficers
edit| Position | Name | Party | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate | Eleni Kounalakis | Democratic | California | |
| President pro tempore | Mike McGuire | Democratic | 2nd–Geyserville | |
| Majority leader | Lena Gonzalez | Democratic | 33rd–Long Beach | |
| Assistant majority leader | Angelique Ashby | Democratic | 8th–Sacramento | |
| Aisha Wahab | Democratic | 10th–Hayward | ||
| Democratic Caucus Chair | Monique Limón | Democratic | 19th–Santa Barbara | |
| Majority Whip | Dave Cortese | Democratic | 15th–San Jose | |
| Assistant majority whips | María Elena Durazo | Democratic | 24th–Los Angeles | |
| Steve Padilla | Democratic | 18th–Chula Vista | ||
| Minority leader | Brian Jones | Republican | 40th–Santee | |
| Secretary | Erika Contreras | |||
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Katrina Rodriguez | |||
| Chaplain | Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM | |||
The secretary, the sergeant-at-arms, and the chaplain are not members of the legislature.
Members
edit| District | Name | Party | Residence | First elected | Term limited | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Dahle | Republican | Bieber | 2024 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2019 to 2024. | |
| 2 | Mike McGuire | Democratic | Geyserville | 2014 | 2026 | President pro tempore | |
| 3 | Chris Cabaldon | Democratic | West Sacramento | 2024 | 2036 | ||
| 4 | Marie Alvarado-Gil | Republican | Jackson | 2022 | 2034 | First elected as a Democrat before switching parties on August 8, 2024 | |
| 5 | Jerry McNerney | Democratic | Stockton | 2024 | 2036 | ||
| 6 | Roger Niello | Republican | Fair Oaks | 2022 | 2030 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2004 to 2010. | |
| 7 | Jesse Arreguín | Democratic | Berkeley | 2024 | 2036 | ||
| 8 | Angelique Ashby | Democratic | Natomas | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 9 | Tim Grayson | Democratic | Concord | 2024 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024. | |
| 10 | Aisha Wahab | Democratic | Hayward | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 11 | Scott Wiener | Democratic | San Francisco | 2016 | 2028 | ||
| 12 | Shannon Grove | Republican | Bakersfield | 2018 | 2026 | Previously served as Minority Leader from 2019 to 2021 and in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016. | |
| 13 | Josh Becker | Democratic | Menlo Park | 2020 | 2032 | ||
| 14 | Anna Caballero | Democratic | Merced | 2018 | 2026 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2006 to 2010 and 2016 to 2018. | |
| 15 | Dave Cortese | Democratic | San Jose | 2020 | 2032 | ||
| 16 | Melissa Hurtado | Democratic | Bakersfield | 2018 | 2030 | ||
| 17 | John Laird | Democratic | Santa Cruz | 2020 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2002 to 2008. | |
| 18 | Steve Padilla | Democratic | Chula Vista | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 19 | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh | Republican | Yucaipa | 2020 | 2032 | ||
| 20 | Caroline Menjivar | Democratic | Panorama City | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 21 | Monique Limón | Democratic | Santa Barbara | 2020 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 and 2020. | |
| 22 | Susan Rubio | Democratic | Baldwin Park | 2018 | 2030 | ||
| 23 | Suzette Martinez Valladares | Republican | Santa Clarita | 2024 | 2032 | Previously served the Assembly from 2020 to 2022. | |
| 24 | Benjamin Allen | Democratic | Santa Monica | 2014 | 2026 | ||
| 25 | Sasha Renée Pérez | Democratic | Alhambra | 2024 | 2036 | ||
| 26 | María Elena Durazo | Democratic | Los Angeles | 2018 | 2030 | ||
| 27 | Henry Stern | Democratic | Malibu | 2016 | 2028 | ||
| 28 | Lola Smallwood-Cuevas | Democratic | Los Angeles | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 29 | Eloise Gómez Reyes | Democratic | Colton | 2024 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024 | |
| 30 | Bob Archuleta | Democratic | Pico Rivera | 2018 | 2030 | ||
| 31 | Sabrina Cervantes | Democratic | Riverside | 2024 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024 | |
| 32 | Kelly Seyarto | Republican | Murrieta | 2022 | 2030 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2020 to 2022. | |
| 33 | Lena Gonzalez | Democratic | Long Beach | 2019† | 2032 | Majority Leader since February 8, 2024 | |
| 34 | Tom Umberg | Democratic | Santa Ana | 2018 | 2026 | Previously served in the Assembly from 1990 to 1994 and 2004 to 2006. | |
| 35 | Steven Bradford | Democratic | Gardena | 2016 | 2024 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2009 to 2014. | |
| 37 | Steven Choi | Republican | Irvine | 2024 | 2028 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2022 | |
| 38 | Catherine Blakespear | Democratic | Encinitas | 2022 | 2034 | ||
| 39 | Akilah Weber | Democratic | San Diego | 2024 | 2032 | Previously served in the Assembly from 2021 to 2024 | |
| 40 | Brian Jones | Republican | Santee | 2018 | 2026 | Minority Leader. Previously served in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016. | |
- †: elected in a special election
Seating chart
editStanding committees
editCurrent committees, chairs and vice chairs include:[13]
| Committee | Chair | Vice Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Melissa Hurtado (D) | Shannon Grove (R) |
| Appropriations | Anna Caballero (D) | Brian Jones (R) |
| Banking and Financial Institutions | Monique Limón (D) | Roger Niello (R) |
| Budget and Fiscal Review | Scott Wiener (D) | Roger Niello (R) |
| Business, Professions and Economic Development | Angelique Ashby (D) | Janet Nguyen (R) |
| Education | Josh Newman (D) | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) |
| Elections and Constitutional Amendments | Catherine Blakespear (D) | Janet Nguyen (R) |
| Energy, Utilities and Communications | Steven Bradford (D) | Brian Dahle (R) |
| Environmental Quality | Ben Allen (D) | Brian Dahle (R) |
| Governance and Finance | Anna Caballero (D) | Kelly Seyarto (R) |
| Governmental Organization | Bill Dodd (D) | Scott Wilk (R) |
| Health | Richard Roth (D) | Janet Nguyen(R) |
| Housing | Nancy Skinner (D) | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) |
| Human Services | Monique Limón (D) | Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) |
| Insurance | Susan Rubio (D) | Roger Niello (R) |
| Judiciary | Tom Umberg (D) | Scott Wilk (R) |
| Labor, Public Employment and Retirement | Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D) | Scott Wilk (R) |
| Legislative Ethics | Dave Cortese (D) | Shannon Grove (R) |
| Local Government | Maria Elena Durazo (D) | Kelly Seyarto (R) |
| Military and Veterans Affairs | Bob Archuleta (D) | Shannon Grove (R) |
| Natural Resources and Water | Dave Min (D) | Kelly Seyarto (R) |
| Public Safety | Aisha Wahab (D) | Kelly Seyarto (R) |
| Revenue and Taxation | Steve Glazer (D) | Brian Dahle (R) |
| Rules | Mike McGuire (D) | Shannon Grove (R) |
| Transportation | Dave Cortese (D) | Roger Niello (R) |
See also
edit
- List of special elections to the California State Senate
- 2020 California State Senate election
- Impeachment in California
- California State Legislature
- California State Legislature, 2021–2022 session
- List of California state legislatures
- California State Assembly
- California State Capitol
- California State Capitol Museum
- Districts in California
- Members of the California State Legislature
References
edit- ^ "California Constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments" (PDF). California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Apportionment Data". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "Senate Roster". State of California.
- ^ a b Cal. Const. Art. IV § 6 (1849)
- ^ Cal. Const. Art. IV § 4 (1879)
- ^ "California Constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments" (PDF). CalPolyPomona. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "JoinCalifornia - Redistricting". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ Voter Information Guide for 1962, General Election
- ^ SENATE REAPPORTIONMENT
- ^ "California Constitution Article 4; Legislative". California Office of Legislative Counsel. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- ^ Democrat Melissa Hurtado (District 16) was prevented from being sworn-in until her 20-vote re-election was certified.
- ^ Marie Alvarado-Gil switched parties August 8, 2024.
- ^ "Committees | California State Senate". www.senate.ca.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
External links
edit- Official website of the California State Senate
- Interactive map of the state senate districts
- California legislative district maps from 1849 to the present