Where Laws are Made
California has a bicameral legislature, an assembly and a senate. There are 80 assemblymembers and 40 senators. The legislature meets for two-year sessions, beginning in January of every odd year. Typically, the legislature does not meet during autumn months, but legislators continue to hold informational hearings and do business in their districts.
Making and Tracking Laws for the Environment
Sierra Club California staff include registered lobbyists who track legislation, educate legislative staff and legislators about environmental issues, and advocate for the environment when specific bills are under consideration.
The staff also works to keep Sierra Club members around the state informed about the status of key bills, and to alert them when Club members need to let legislators know their constituents support the environment.
How We Engage With the Legislature
Listen to our staff and policy advocates discuss the process behind how Sierra Club California engages with the legislature and elected officials, how we takes positions on bills and policies, and how we inform our members about opportunities to advocate for those bills and policies. You can view and download the full presentation here.
Priority Bills
Below is the Sierra Club California list of priority bills in 2024 with our position and each bill’s status. This list is updated periodically. We cover and take positions on dozens of bills. This priority list is not a complete list of all the bills we take a position on or lobby. Bills may be added or removed from this list at any time depending on the circumstances and context of the legislative process. For more information visit our CA Legislature page.
The priority bills are grouped below by topic area and listed within those by status and house in numerical order. Bills introduced by Assembly members begin with AB and bills introduced by Senators begin with SB. Each bill is linked to its page on the California Legislative Information website (http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov). Click here or scroll the list below for the latest status on bills and their location in the legislative process.
We need Club supporters' help to push the bills that will help the environment and stop the bills that will harm the environment. Writing letters, sending emails, or making calls to your state legislators about important bills are excellent ways of helping. Click here to sign up for alerts about our most urgent issues needing your action.
If you would like more information about how you can participate in Sierra Club California's advocacy work at the legislature, click here.