Here are the key dates, terms, and lawmakers for the 2026 legislative session

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

State lawmakers consider thousands of measures every year — many with direct and indirect impacts to cities. But figuring out what those bills are (and how to advocate) can be tricky: California's legislative process rarely lines up neatly with city calendars, fewer reporters are covering the Capitol, and acronyms fly fast and furious.

Fortunately, Cal Cities is here to help. We’ve compiled a list of key dates, terms, and resources to help ensure that your city has the tools it needs to be an effective advocate.

What are the key dates for 2026?

This is the second half of California's two-year legislative cycle, which makes for a busier January than usual. The first major deadline is the Governor’s Jan. 10 budget proposal. The following Friday is the last day for lawmakers to get any bills introduced last year through their initial policy committee hearings. Those bills must pass out of their house of origin by Jan. 31.

Lawmakers have until Feb. 20 to introduce any new measures, many of which will contain placeholder language. We won’t really know what’s in many of these proposals until policy committees start in earnest in mid-March. Lawmakers have until April 24 to get their bills through the first round of policy committee meetings.

Bills with hefty price tags also must go through a sort of financial audit known as the suspense file — more on that below. Lawmakers must pass a budget bill by June 15 if they want to get paid. After that, it’s a mad sprint to July 2, the last day for lawmakers to get bills out of one house and into another. The Legislature will break for summer recess that same day before beginning the process again on Aug. 3.

Policy committees are the best chance to stop bad bills: Those that make it out almost always pass off the floor.

Aug. 21 is the last day to amend bills on the floor; Aug. 31 is the last day to pass bills. The Governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto any bills that make it to his desk.

What are the major issues and lawmakers in the Capitol?

It’s difficult to know what to expect this early on, especially as state and federal leaders butt heads. But a few key issues have started to emerge. The first, of course, is the state’s ballooning budget deficit. Although red-hot artificial intelligence and tech companies are cushioning the blow, it’s not enough to close the budget hole, especially as the federal government withholds more and more funding. If past years — or indeed, governors — are anything to go by, the January budget will be significantly rosier than it actually is.

The other major focus of these first few weeks is resolving any outstanding legislation from last year. But lawmakers are already floating some new ideas, largely focused on federal preemption, lost federal funding, public safety, the affordability crisis, and, of course, housing. Several ballot measures have also qualified or are close to qualifying.

This year also marks Gavin Newsom’s final year as governor, along with leadership changes in the Senate and Assembly. As one journalist noted, this is “his last chance to use his role as governor to audition for the national stage.” Several lawmakers are also seeking higher offices, most notably Senators Mike McGuire, Scott Wiener, Anna Caballero, and Ben Allen.

Sen. Monique Limón is the new Senate President pro tem, the first Latina to hold the position. The move comes with new changes to the Senate Democratic leadership team and committees. With a few exceptions, those changes will take effect on Feb. 1. In the Assembly, Asm. Heath Flora will take over as the minority floor leader.

Democrats hold three-quarters of the seats in both chambers, more than the two-thirds required for a supermajority.

How do I make my voice heard in Sacramento?

Cal Cities collaborates with local leaders to elevate their voices and stories in Sacramento. Stay in touch with your regional public affairs managers to make sure you can take advantage of those opportunities.

Letters, phone calls, and visits from city leaders are a key part of Cal Cities’ advocacy! Cal Cities provides sample letters, talking points, and lobbying opportunities each year for dozens of major bills. When sending a letter to your lawmakers, be sure to send a copy to your regional public affairs manager and cityletters@cacities.org. This helps ensure that Cal Cities’ advocacy reflects the full diversity and strength of its members.

What’s the best way to learn about what’s happening in the state Capitol?

We’re a bit biased and think that Cal Cities Advocate, Western City magazine, Cal Cities’ educational opportunities and events, and regional public affairs managers are the best ways for city leaders to learn how what happens in Sacramento impacts their communities. Once committee hearings start, keep an eye out for Bill Talk, a weekly breakdown of the biggest legislative developments for city leaders.

Many legacy outlets, such as the Los Angeles Times, The Sacramento Bee, KCRA, and the San Francisco Chronicle, still have a dedicated Sacramento reporter. Other outlets, such as CalMatters and Politico, focus on California policy and politics. Several regional outlets, including The San Francisco Standard and the Voice of OC, also cover the Capitol, with a focus on regional impacts. PublicCEO delivers a news roundup every day.

What key (or esoteric) terms do I need to know?

Cal Cities tries to write for a lay audience, but a few technical terms are unavoidable. Here are a few of the most common words you may find in Cal Cities Advocate.

• Blue Pencil. The Governor’s ability to reduce or eliminate items in the state budget.
• Gann Limit. A constitutional spending cap as a result of Proposition 13 (1978) and Proposition 4 (1979) that limits the growth of government spending. It caps local and state government revenue that can be appropriated in any given fiscal year.           
• Gut-and-amend. An often controversial process that allows legislators to replace the bill’s language with a subject that is entirely unrelated to the bill’s original language. The practice, often used at the end of a session, allows lawmakers to bypass the usual deadlines for bill introductions, amendments, and public review. Proponents argue the procedure gives them flexibility to address late-breaking issues.
• House of origin. The chamber in which the bill was introduced (Assembly or Senate). Bills that clear their house of origin must also go through the “second house.”
• Intent bills. As the name suggests, these measures contain placeholder language stating an intent to do something but nothing substantive.
• May Revise. The Governor’s second budget proposal, introduced in May, with updated revenue estimates after the April 15 tax receipts have been collected.
• Policy committee. Bills must usually pass through several policy committees that have jurisdiction over the policy of the bill before they advance to the floor for a full vote by lawmakers. This is by far the biggest procedural hurdle for most measures.
• Special session. A legislative session called by the Governor on a particular topic. These sessions may run separately or concurrently with the regular session.
• Sponsor. The person or group that develops a bill and serves as its primary advocate. Cal Cities sponsors several bills each year.
• Spot bill. Measures with technical (minor or de minimis), nonsubstantive language, to be amended later.
• Sunset. The date a bill becomes ineffective and requires future legislatures to reinstate.
• Suspense file. Bills considered to have significant state fiscal impacts are set aside by the appropriations committees. These bills are heard separately, considered with greater scrutiny, and if not supported, are dead for the year.
• Trailer bill. Measures that make specific implementation language to the state budget, each typically focused on a specific policy area (natural resources, transportation, etc.).
• Two-year bill. Measures that fail to pass out of the first half of California's two-year session. Lawmakers may make a second run at passing the bill in the early part of the second year. 

These are only a handful of some of the terms and dates you may encounter while navigating California’s complex legislative process. For more insight into the process, check out the “Lobbying and Legislative Process” section on Cal Cities’ advocacy webpage. The section includes several helpful resources, including an overview of the legislative process, lobbying tips, sample legislative platforms, and quick links to your lawmaker.

Do you have a question about California’s legislative process, or want to know what a particular word or term? Send an email to Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor.