Senate BillFailedGovernment
SB 699: Legislature: constitutional course.
What SB 699 does, verified February 3, 2026
This bill would require all members and employees of the legislature to attend a course regarding the United States Constitution and the California Constitution within six months of the convening of a regular session of the legislature. The course would be developed and conducted by the Legislative Counsel Bureau. This course is intended to provide a constitutional course for legislators and employees to ensure they understand the framework of government and their roles within it.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 02, 2026 | Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 13, 2026 | January 13 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jan. 05, 2026 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Dec. 23, 2025 | Set for hearing January 13. |
| May. 07, 2025 | May 6 hearing: Testimony taken. Hearing postponed by committee. |
Latest bill textAmended version, January 5, 2026 · 411 words
| Amended IN Senate January 05, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 699
| Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh |
February 21, 2025 |
An act to add Section 9025.5 to the Government Code, relating to the Legislature.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 699, as amended, 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 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),(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.
Text of SB 699 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions