A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by amending, repealing, and adding Sections 3, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of Article IV thereof, relating to legislative sessions.

(1) The California Constitution requires the Legislature to convene in regular biennial session at noon on the first Monday in December of each even-numbered year to consider legislation and the Budget Bill. This measure would require the Legislature to convene in regular biennial session, but would require, commencing on December 3, 2012, that the sessions held in odd-numbered years be budget sessions, and that sessions held in even-numbered years be general sessions. The measure would require the Legislature, in a budget session, to adopt a Budget Bill, as defined, for the 2 subsequent fiscal years. The measure would require the Legislature, during a budget session, to meet only to conduct oversight and review of the revenues and expenditures of the state and to consider Budget Bills, budget implementation bills, as defined, and related revenue bills, except that the Legislature could consider urgency measures. (2) The California Constitution authorizes each house of the Legislature to provide for the selection of committees necessary for the conduct of its business, including committees to ascertain facts and make recommendations to the Legislature on a subject within the scope of legislative control. This measure would require, during a budget session, that each standing policy committee of the Senate and Assembly function as a budget subcommittee, making recommendations relative to the Budget Bill as to matters within the subject area of that committee. The measure would, after each Budget Bill has been passed, require each standing policy committee to meet for purposes of oversight and review of programs within the subject area of the committee.