20250SB__130899INT INTRODUCED 2026-02-20 2025 SB INT Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Ochoa Bogh

An act to add

Section 9025.5 to the Government Code, relating to the Legislature. the Legislature 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.

MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION

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

a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), all Members and designated employees of the Legislature shall, in conjunction with ethics training as specified in

Section 8956, attend an orientation 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 a designated 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 Legislative Counsel Bureau, in consultation with the Joint Rules Committee, shall develop and conduct the course described in subdivision (a). The course shall provide an orientation to relevant statutes and regulations, and address 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. (

d) Members and designated employees of the Legislature may opt out of the course described in subdivision (

a) if either of the following requirements are met:

(1) The Member or employee demonstrates proficient knowledge of the topics described in subdivision (

c) through an evaluation that is developed by the Legislative Counsel Bureau, in consultation with the Joint Rules Committee.

(2) The Member or employee is licensed to practice law in the State of California.