How to Make the Most of Legislative Recess with Abstract

What to do during recess:

✓   Monitor the status of your bills of interest and keep an eye out for statements regarding bills that have been signed by  the Governor.
<sub>Abstract Tips:
1. Check out this article written by Abstract’s advisor, Chris Micheli, on the 2023 Bill Actions by Governor Newsom.
2. Use Abstracts Search filters to monitor the status of your tagged bills: Utilize the Measure Status filter combined with the Tags filter, to see the status of bills you have tagged.

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✓   We are currently in the middle of the 2-year session, which means 2-year bills are still subject to change. Now is the time to submit letters of support or opposition.
‍<sub>Abstract Tips:
1. Identify 2-year bills by using Abstract’s Type filter and selecting “2-Year Bills.”
2. Submit letters of support or opposition, by accessing the California Legislature Position Letter Portal directly from the Homepage of your Abstract account.
3. Check out this guide written by seasoned lobbyist Chris Micheli on how to write advocacy letters.  
4. Attach Letters of support or opposition at the top of your Abstract Bill List and bill-specific Notes for quick reference.


‍</sub>✓   New bills can be pre-submitted as early as December, so now is the time to draft and work on the bills that will be introduced in January. Recess is also a great opportunity to identify the right Legislator to author those bills.
<sub>Abstract Tips:
1. Abstract's Directory has California Senator and Assembly Member committee assignments, staffers, contact information, and more, all in one place.
2. View Legislators' vote history and Staffer contact information on specified bill pages.


‍</sub>✓   2024 is a campaign year: be sure to brush up on past legislation  and identify which legislators are up for re-election when considering your outreach tactics.
‍<sub>Abstract Tips:
1. Abstract's Directory has California Senator and Assembly Member committee assignments, staffers, contact information, and more, all in one place.
2. View Legislators' vote history and Staffer contact information on specified bill pages.
3. Review past legislation with Abstract’s powerful legislative search that dates back to 1989.</sub>


✓   Now is the time to check to see if committee chairs have changed leadership.
<sub>Abstract Tip:
1. Use Abstract’s Directory and category filter to identify committee members.


Special thanks to Roseanne Moreno from California Advocates for providing insight used to create this guide.</sub>