California State Senate

Last updated
California State Senate
California State Legislature
Seal of The Senate Of The State Of California.svg
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
Eleni Kounalakis (D)
since January 7, 2019
Mike McGuire (D)
since February 5, 2024
Majority Leader
Lena Gonzalez (D)
since February 8, 2024
Minority Leader
Brian Jones (R)
since December 5, 2022
Structure
Seats40
California State Senate Composition.svg
Political groups
Majority
   Democratic (30)

Minority

   Republican (9)

Vacant

  Vacant (1) [a]
Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle 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
California Senate chamber p1080899.jpg
State Senate Chamber
California State Capitol
Sacramento, California
Website
California State Senate
Rules
Standing Rules of the Senate

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.

Contents

Neither house has expanded from the sizes set in the 1879 constitution, [1] and each of the 40 state senators represents approximately 931,349 people. [2] This is a higher number than that of any other state legislative house, than that of California's representatives in Congress, [3] and each state senator represents more than the population of five U.S. states (not combined). [4]

In the current legislative session, the Democratic Party holds 30 out of the 40 seats, which constitutes a 75% majority, well over the two-thirds supermajority threshold of 27.

History

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..." [5] 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. [5]

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. [6] 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." [7]

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. [8] 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. [9] This proposition was rejected by the voters 46.65% - 53.35% (2,181,758 - 2,495,440). [10]

Leadership

The 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

Each 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. [11]

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

The 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

3091
DemocraticRepublicanVacant
AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
End of previous legislature319400
Begin [12] 309391
Latest voting share

Past composition of the Senate

Officers

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate Eleni Kounalakis Democratic California
President pro tempore Mike McGuire Democratic 2nd–Healdsburg
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

DistrictNamePartyResidenceFirst electedTerm limitedNotes
1 Megan Dahle Republican Bieber 20242028Previously served in the Assembly from 2019 to 2024.
2 Mike McGuire Democratic Healdsburg 20142026President pro tempore
3 Chris Cabaldon Democratic West Sacramento 20242036
4 Marie Alvarado-Gil Republican Jackson 20222034First elected as a Democrat before switching parties on August 8, 2024
5 Jerry McNerney Democratic Pleasanton 20242036
6 Roger Niello Republican Fair Oaks 20222030Previously served in the Assembly from 2004 to 2010.
7 Jesse Arreguín Democratic Berkeley 20242036
8 Angelique Ashby Democratic Natomas 20222034
9 Tim Grayson Democratic Concord 20242028Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024.
10 Aisha Wahab Democratic Hayward 20222034
11 Scott Wiener Democratic San Francisco 20162028
12 Shannon Grove Republican Bakersfield 20182026Previously served as Minority Leader from 2019 to 2021 and in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016.
13 Josh Becker Democratic Menlo Park 20202032
14 Anna Caballero Democratic Merced 20182026Previously served in the Assembly from 2006 to 2010 and 2016 to 2018.
15 Dave Cortese Democratic San Jose 20202032
16 Melissa Hurtado Democratic Bakersfield 20182030
17 John Laird Democratic Santa Cruz 20202028Previously served in the Assembly from 2002 to 2008.
18 Steve Padilla Democratic Chula Vista 20222034
19 Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh Republican Yucaipa 20202032
20 Caroline Menjivar Democratic San Fernando 20222034
21 Monique Limón Democratic Santa Barbara 20202028Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 and 2020.
22 Susan Rubio Democratic Baldwin Park 20182030
23 Suzette Martinez Valladares Republican Santa Clarita 20242032Previously served the Assembly from 2020 to 2022.
24 Benjamin Allen Democratic Santa Monica 20142026
25 Sasha Renée Pérez Democratic Alhambra 20242036
26 María Elena Durazo Democratic Los Angeles 20182030
27 Henry Stern Democratic Malibu 20162028
28 Lola Smallwood-Cuevas Democratic Los Angeles 20222034
29 Eloise Gómez Reyes Democratic Colton 20242028Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024
30 Bob Archuleta Democratic Pico Rivera 20182030
31 Sabrina Cervantes Democratic Riverside 20242028Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2024
32 Kelly Seyarto Republican Murrieta 20222030Previously served in the Assembly from 2020 to 2022.
33 Lena Gonzalez Democratic Long Beach 20192032Majority Leader since February 8, 2024
34 Tom Umberg Democratic Santa Ana 20182026Previously served in the Assembly from 1990 to 1994 and 2004 to 2006.
35 Laura Richardson Democratic San Pedro 20242032Previously served in the U.S. House from 2007 to 2013 and in the Assembly from 2006 to 2007.
36 Vacant [12]
37 Steven Choi Republican Irvine 20242028Previously served in the Assembly from 2016 to 2022
38 Catherine Blakespear Democratic Encinitas 20222034
39 Akilah Weber Democratic San Diego 20242032Previously served in the Assembly from 2021 to 2024
40 Brian Jones Republican Santee 20182026Minority Leader. Previously served in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016.

Seating chart

President
Kounalakis
Niello Ochoa Bogh Hurtado Archuleta Smallwood-Cuevas Stern Cabaldon Pérez Durazo Becker Caballero Allen
Choi Grove Alvarado-Gil Vacant Arreguín Menjivar Ashby Rubio Limón Blakespear Cervantes Weber
Valladares Jones Seyarto Dahle Grayson Umberg Laird Padilla Richardson Wahab Cortese McNerney
Reyes McGuire Gonzalez Wiener

Standing committees

Current committees, chairs and vice chairs include: [13]

CommitteeChairVice Chair
Agriculture Melissa Hurtado (D) Marie Alvarado-Gil (R)
Appropriations Anna Caballero (D) Kelly Seyarto (R)
Banking and Financial Institutions Tim Grayson (D) Roger Niello (R)
Budget and Fiscal Review Scott Wiener (D) Roger Niello (R)
Business, Professions and Economic Development Angelique Ashby (D) Steven Choi (R)
Education Sasha Renée Pérez (D) Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)
Elections and Constitutional Amendments Sabrina Cervantes (D) Steven Choi (R)
Energy, Utilities and Communications Josh Becker (D) Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)
Environmental Quality Catherine Blakespear (D)Vacant
Governmental Organization Steve Padilla (D) Suzette Martinez Valladares (R)
Health Caroline Menjivar (D) Suzette Martinez Valladares (R)
Housing Aisha Wahab (D) Kelly Seyarto (R)
Human Services Jesse Arreguín (D) Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)
InsuranceVacant Roger Niello (R)
Judiciary Tom Umberg (D) Roger Niello (R)
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)Vacant
Legislative Ethics Scott Wiener (D) Shannon Grove (R)
Local Government Maria Elena Durazo (D) Steven Choi (R)
Military and Veterans Affairs Bob Archuleta (D) Shannon Grove (R)
Natural Resources and Water Monique Limón (D) Kelly Seyarto (R)
Public Safety Jesse Arreguín (D) Kelly Seyarto (R)
Revenue and Taxation Jerry McNerney (D) Suzette Martinez Valladares (R)
Rules Mike McGuire (D) Shannon Grove (R)
Transportation Dave Cortese (D)Vacant

See also

Notes

  1. Senator Janet Nguyen resigned on November 30, 2024 after winning an election to the Orange County Board of Supervisors

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References

  1. "California Constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments" (PDF). California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  2. "Senate Roster". State of California. Archived from the original on 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  3. "Apportionment Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2017-01-22. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  4. "Annual and cumulative estimates of residential population change for the United States, regions, states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Cal. Const. Art. IV § 6 (1849)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-02-25. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  6. "Cal. Const. Art. IV § 4 (1879)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  7. "California Constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments" (PDF). CalPolyPomona. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  8. "JoinCalifornia - Redistricting". www.joincalifornia.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  9. Voter Information Guide for 1962, General Election
  10. "SENATE REAPPORTIONMENT". Archived from the original on 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  11. "California Constitution Article 4; Legislative". California Office of Legislative Counsel . Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Republican Janet Nguyen resigned on November 30, 2024, after being elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
  13. "Senate Leader McGuire Announces Leadership Team, Committee Membership for 2025-26 Legislative Session, First Extraordinary Session". Senator Mike McGuire. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-08.

38°34′36″N121°29′37″W / 38.57667°N 121.49361°W / 38.57667; -121.49361