On Monday, December 7th the California State Assembly and Senate convened for an organizational session to start the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. The state’s constitution requires lawmakers to meet in person in order to swear in all returning and newly elected legislators. Extra precautions were taken to limit interactions between members and friends and family of members who are typically invited to the swearing-in ceremony were prohibited from attending. The Assembly also opted to meet in the Golden 1 Center in order to take advantage of the additional space to provide adequate social distancing.

In addition to members being sworn in, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins were both reelected to their respective leadership positions. Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes was selected as California’s first Latina Assembly Majority Leader and Senator Robert Hertzberg remains the Majority Leader in the Senate.  The organizational session establishes the rules and procedures for the upcoming two-year session, and there were some procedural changes adopted to allow for the Legislature to proceed with their business in consideration of COVID precautions.  Members will return on January 4th for the official beginning of the two-year session.