Bill Text: CA SR44 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relative to the Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14 Regular Session

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-09 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 34. Noes 1. Page 3783.) [SR44 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SR44-Enrolled.html

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BILL NUMBER: SR 44	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 9, 2014
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 19, 1950

INTRODUCED BY   Senators De León and Steinberg

                        MAY 14, 2014

   Relative to the Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14
Regular Session



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, The California State Senate seeks adoption of a Senate
rule to affirm the public's confidence in this elected legislative
body; and
   WHEREAS, The period immediately preceding the passage of the State
Budget and the period immediately preceding the end of the
legislative session each year are the times at which the Legislature
makes the most critical public policy decisions regarding the
governance of the state; and
   WHEREAS, It is of particular importance during those periods of
the legislative session that the Members of the Senate be insulated
from extraneous matters that may divert their attention from the
legislative work before them; and
   WHEREAS, A rule prohibiting Members of the Senate from soliciting
or accepting campaign contributions from lobbyist employers during
those periods of time will serve to both lessen the distractions of
the Members of the Senate at a time when critical legislative
decisions are made and address public concerns regarding fundraising
taking place during the most crucial times in the legislative
calendar; and
   WHEREAS, A rule limiting fundraising activities during those
periods would be narrowly tailored to serve the compelling state
interests of bolstering public confidence in the Legislature and
ensuring that Members of the Senate are focused exclusively on
legislative business at these crucial times in the legislative
calendar, while preserving the ability of the Members to conduct
effective campaigns by raising campaign funds at more appropriate
times of the year; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the
Standing Rules of the Senate for the 2013-14 Regular Session are
amended as follows:
   That Rule 56 is added, to read:
      Contribution Restriction Periods

   56. (a) Commencing August 1, 2014, a Member of the Senate shall
not solicit or accept a contribution from a lobbyist employer during
any of the following periods:
   (1) In each year, the period from the date on which the Director
of Finance provides to the Legislature a revised estimate of General
Fund revenues, proposals to reduce expenditures based on that
revision, and proposed adjustments to the Governor's Budget pursuant
to subdivision (e) of Section 13308 of the Government Code to the
date of enactment of a Budget Bill for the fiscal year commencing on
July 1 of the same year, inclusive.
   (2) In each odd-numbered year, the period from the date 30 days
preceding the date the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for a
joint recess to reconvene in the second calendar year of the biennium
of the legislative session to the date that adjournment occurs,
inclusive.
   (3) In each even-numbered year, the period from August 1 to August
31, inclusive.
   (b) The Senate may take any disciplinary action it deems
appropriate against a Member of the Senate who violates subdivision
(a), including, but not limited to, reprimand, censure, suspension,
or expulsion.
   (c) For purposes of this rule, "contribution" and "lobbyist
employer" have the same meanings as set forth in the Political Reform
Act of 1974 (Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the
Government Code).