FROM: ANTHONY, JASON AND PAUL GONSALVES
SUBJECT: UPCOMING 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
DATE: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
As we previously reported, the Legislature adjourned the 2023 legislative session on September 14, 2023. They will return to Sacramento on January 3, 2024.
Before adjourning, the Legislature sent 1,326 bills to Governor Newsom for his consideration. Of those the Governor signed 890 bills and vetoed 156 in the month leading up to the October 14th deadline for the Governor to act on all legislation sent to him prior to the September 14th adjournment.
While things have been relatively quiet in Sacramento since, there are a few relevant issues we would like to recap as we anticipate the upcoming 2024 legislative session.
Water Rights
As we’ve previously reported, we had a successful year opposing threatening water rights bills. Two bills, AB 460 and AB 1337 failed to pass out of policy committee in the Senate and are two-year bills. A third bill, SB 389, passed with amendments that significantly limited the impact of the bill on legal diverters of water.
While we had a successful year, we do not anticipate that this issue and potentially these bills won’t be in play in 2024. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you apprised of further developments.
Bonds
As previously reported, the Governor and the Legislature opted not to place any additional bonds on the March 2024 ballot as the Governor did not want the Legislature to place any additional bonds on the March 2024 ballot other than the Governor’s proposed behavioral health initiative.
The Legislature and the Governor will now have until mid-2024 to negotiate any/all bonds to be placed on the November 2024 ballot, we will continue to keep you apprised as bond negotiations ramp back up in January.
Legislative Leadership changes
The new Assembly Speaker, Robert Rivas assumed the speakership in July 2023, and he waited until adjournment of the 2023 legislative session to announce the new Committee Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Members. We expect such announcements to be made by mid-January at the latest.
The Senate democratic caucus has selected Senator Mike McGuire (DHealdsburg) to take over as Senate President Pro-Tem from Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) in January. Like the Assembly this too will likely result in a wholesale shuffling of Senate Leadership and Committee assignments.
Conclusion
We would be remiss if we did not thank you and your staff for the personal and professional relationship we have enjoyed. While we are extremely proud of the accomplishments we have shared in, we personally feel a debt of gratitude to your management team for their direction, tireless efforts and partnership and we look forward to the continued opportunity to share in many future successes during the 2024 legislative session.
We expect housing, surplus land act, homelessness, public safety and the evergrowing State Budget deficit to continue to be at the forefront of legislative priorities during the upcoming legislative session and we look forward to continuing to work with you as these issues progress.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Happy Veterans Day!