California State Senate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California State Senate |
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| California State Legislature | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
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Term limits
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Elected before 2012: 2 terms (8 years) Elected 2012 and after: 3 terms (12 years) |
| History | |
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New session started
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December 7, 2020 |
| Leadership | |
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President pro tempore
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Toni Atkins (D)
Since March 21, 2018 |
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Majority Leader
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Robert Hertzberg (D)
Since January 7, 2019 |
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Minority Leader
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Shannon Grove (R)
Since March 1, 2019 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
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Political groups
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Majority
Democratic (31) Minority Republican (9) |
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Length of term
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4 years |
| Authority | Article 4, California Constitution |
| Salary | $110,459/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Nonpartisan blanket primary | |
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Last election
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November 3, 2020 (20 seats) |
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Next election
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November 8, 2022 (20 seats) |
| Redistricting | California Citizens Redistricting Commission |
| Motto | |
| Senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri ("It is a senator's duty to protect the liberty of the people.") |
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| Meeting place | |
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| State Senate Chamber California State Capitol Sacramento, California |
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The California State Senate is an important part of the California State Legislature. Think of it as the "upper house" of California's law-making body. It has 40 members, called senators, and they meet at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Currently, the Democratic Party has the most members.
Contents
What is the California State Senate?
The California State Senate is one of two groups that make laws for the state of California. The other group is the California State Assembly. Together, they form the California State Legislature. The Senate's main job is to discuss and vote on new laws. These laws affect everyone living in California.
How Many Members Does the Senate Have?
The California State Senate has 40 members. Each member is called a senator. They represent different areas, or "districts," across California. These senators are elected by the people of California.
How Long Do Senators Serve?
Senators serve for a term of four years. They can be re-elected, but there are limits on how long they can serve in total.
- If a senator was first elected before 2012, they can serve a maximum of two terms (8 years).
- If a senator was first elected in 2012 or later, they can serve a maximum of three terms (12 years). This rule applies to their total time in the California Legislature, including time in the Assembly.
Who Leads the Senate?
The Senate has several important leaders who help guide its work.
Key Leaders and Their Roles
The main leader of the Senate is the President of the Senate. This person is the Lieutenant Governor of California, who is elected by all Californians. The current President of the Senate is Eleni Kounalakis.
Another very important leader is the President pro tempore. This person is chosen by the senators themselves. They lead the Senate when the Lieutenant Governor is not there. The current President pro tempore is Toni Atkins.
Other leaders include:
- Majority Leader: This person leads the political party with the most members in the Senate. Currently, this is Robert Hertzberg.
- Minority Leader: This person leads the political party with fewer members in the Senate. Currently, this is Shannon Grove.
These leaders help organize debates, manage votes, and make sure the Senate runs smoothly.
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| Position | Name | Party | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor | Eleni Kounalakis | Democratic | California | |
| President pro tempore | Toni Atkins | Democratic | 39th–San Diego | |
| Majority leader | Robert Hertzberg | Democratic | 18th–Van Nuys | |
| Minority leader | Shannon Grove | Republican | 16th–Bakersfield | |
| Secretary | Erika Contreras | |||
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Jodie O. Barnett III | |||
| Chaplain | Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM | |||
The Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chaplain are staff members, not elected senators. They help the Senate do its work.
How the Senate is Organized
The Senate is made up of members from different political parties. The party with the most members is called the "majority party." The party with fewer members is called the "minority party."
Current Party Makeup
As of the most recent elections, the Senate is mostly made up of members from the Democratic Party.
| ↓ | ||
| 30 | 9 | 1 |
| Democratic | Republican | Vacant |
This chart shows how many senators belong to each main political party. Sometimes, a seat might be "vacant" if a senator leaves office early and a new election hasn't happened yet.
What Does the Senate Do?
The California State Senate plays a big role in making laws for the state.
Making Laws
Senators propose new ideas for laws, called "bills." These bills are then debated and voted on. If a bill passes in the Senate, it also needs to pass in the Assembly and be signed by the Governor to become a law.
Representing Californians
Each senator represents a specific district in California. This means they speak for the people living in their area. They bring the concerns and needs of their communities to the state government.
Overseeing the Government
The Senate also watches over how the state government is working. They can hold hearings to investigate issues and make sure state agencies are doing their jobs correctly.
Where Does the Senate Meet?
The California State Senate meets in the State Senate Chamber. This chamber is located inside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento. It's a historic building where many important decisions for California are made.
Images for kids
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Composition of the California State Senate
See also
In Spanish: Senado Estatal de California para niños
