New Laws Take Effect This Year

A law is a formal enactment of a legislative body, such as Congress or a state legislature. A draft of a proposed law is called a bill. A bill becomes a statute, or written law, when it is passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

A committee report is an important part of a law’s legislative history because it explains the purpose and scope of the bill in detail. It contains a section-by-section analysis of the legislation and includes executive communications regarding it.

A number of laws took effect this year, including raising the minimum wage for fast food workers, making it easier for undocumented immigrants to qualify for Medi-Cal, and allowing veterinarians to treat pets via telehealth. Read more here.