Sometimes when I think of new beginnings, I am haunted by the game of Sorry!, where I have gotten so close to winning, only to have my last piece sent back to the start. I’d like to say I took those losses with no hard feelings.

New two-year sessions certainly evoke a sense of fresh starts with new legislators bringing with them the potential for new perspectives and approaches. On Dec. 2, 2024, 23 new Assembly Members and 12 new Senators were sworn in. The Capitol and swing space were full of laughs and smiles, bustling with the new members’ friends and family. And on their special day among them were the Governor, other executive leaders, current members, past members, lobbyists and the press.

Legislative Process Sees Refinement

In 2023, California saw 2,632 bills introduced, which was, at the time, a record high in over a decade. By the end of the 2024 session, that number  was 4,821.

As of Dec. 2, each legislator is now limited to introducing 35 bills in the two-year session. Both the Speaker of the House Robert Rivas and the Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire agreed that lowering the limit will allow for a stronger focus on the main issues. The Pro Tempore was quoted saying this decrease was to, “…focus on more commonsense legislation…” With that said, there is still the potential for a total of 4,200 bills over the next two years. Only time will tell if the desired increase in quality will come from the decrease in quantity.

Many of the same legislative challenges our industry faced in previous years remain regardless of the new session. Some of the previously defeated challenges will show up again under the guise of “new,” and we are prepared.

And this session, just like Sorry!, will have wins and positive outcomes, and maybe, just maybe, those cool slides that give you that extra five space lead.