AMENDED IN SENATE JANUARY 5, 2026

AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 26, 2025

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh

February 21, 2025

An act to add Section 9025.5 to the Government Code, relating to the Legislature.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law provides for the administration of the constitutional oath of office and seating of Members of the Legislature at the beginning of any regular session of the Legislature. Existing law requires each Member of the Legislature and each designated employee of the Legislature to attend certain orientation courses conducted by the appropriate legislative ethics committees at least once in each biennial session.

This bill would require a Member of the Legislature and an employee all Members and employees of the Legislature to attend a course regarding the United States Constitution and the California Constitution within 6 months of the convening of a regular session of the Legislature, except as specified. The bill would require the Joint Rules Committee Legislative Counsel Bureau to develop and conduct the course, as specified.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 9025.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

9025.5.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a Member of the Legislature and an employee of the Legislature all Members and employees of the Legislature shall, within six months of the convening of a regular session of the Legislature, attend a course regarding the United States Constitution and the California Constitution.

(b) (1) If a Member of the Legislature assumes their seat after a regular session is convened, the Member shall attend the course within six months of assuming their seat.

(2) If an employee of the Legislature is hired after a regular session is convened, the employee shall attend the course within six months of their date of hire.

(c) The Joint Rules Committee Legislative Counsel Bureau, in consultation with the Joint Rules Committee, shall develop and conduct the course described in subdivision (a). The course shall be at least two hours in length and address the principles of federalism, preemption, civil rights, and the separation of powers. at a minimum the following topics: federalism, preemption, separation of powers, civil rights, the Bill of Rights, state constitutional rights and freedoms, and the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government at the state and federal levels.