KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB-1308 • 2026

Legislature: constitutional course.

Legislature: constitutional course.

Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ochoa Bogh
Last action
2026-04-22
Official status
April 21 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) Reconsideration granted.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on consequences for skipping the course improperly or the exact criteria for demonstrating proficient knowledge.

Legislature: Constitutional Course

This bill requires members and designated employees of the Legislature to attend a course on the U.S. and California Constitutions, with exemptions for those who can demonstrate proficient knowledge or are licensed lawyers.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires Members and designated employees of the Legislature to take an orientation course about the United States Constitution and the California Constitution.
  • Directs the Legislative Counsel Bureau to develop and conduct this course in consultation with the Joint Rules Committee.
  • Allows exemptions for those who can demonstrate proficient knowledge or are licensed lawyers.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Members of the Legislature
  • Designated employees of the Legislature

Terms To Know

Legislative Counsel Bureau
The office that helps lawmakers with legal advice and writing laws.
Joint Rules Committee
A group in charge of making rules for how the Legislature works.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is not clear if this bill will become a law because it failed to pass in committee.
  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone skips the course without proper proof.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-22 California Legislative Information

    April 21 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) Reconsideration granted.

  2. 2026-04-13 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 21.

  3. 2026-03-04 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

  4. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  5. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  6. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1308, as introduced, Ochoa Bogh.
Legislature: constitutional course.
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 Members and designated employees of the Legislature to attend an orientation course regarding the United States Constitution and the California Constitution, as specified. The bill would require the Legislative Counsel Bureau, in consultation with the Joint Rules Committee, to develop and conduct the course, as specified. The bill would authorize Members and designated employees of the legislature to opt out
of the course if they are able to demonstrate proficient knowledge of specified topics or if they are licensed to practice law in California.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF