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SCR 2

Relative to the selection of the Legislative Counsel of California.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Umberg

California adopts a concurrent resolution establishing the selection process for its Legislative Counsel, the chief legal drafter for state legislation, with Senate approval of 37-1.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 1, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SCR 2

Legislative bill overview

SCR 2 is a concurrent resolution that establishes the process for selecting California's Legislative Counsel, a position responsible for drafting legislation and providing legal advice to the state legislature. The resolution was introduced, debated, and adopted by the Senate with overwhelming support (37-1), then chaptered into law as a constitutional procedural measure.

Why is this important

The Legislative Counsel is a critical institutional role that directly affects how bills are drafted, reviewed, and legally structured before passage. The selection process for this position determines who controls a significant portion of the legislature's technical and legal infrastructure, influencing policy implementation across all state legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency of selection process: The resolution's specific selection criteria and whether public input or multiple candidates were considered remains unclear from the bill summary alone
  • Partisan influence: With a 37-1 vote, questions may arise about whether the process adequately represented minority party concerns or diverse perspectives on the ideal candidate
  • Institutional independence: How the Legislative Counsel maintains independence from legislative pressure while serving in this politically embedded role

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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