The new legislators meet in the Assembly or Senate Chambers at noon on the first Monday in December of the even numbered years to convene the new session. At that time the Chief Clerk of the last regular session calls the Assembly to order, while the Lieutenant Governor performs the similar duty in the Senate. A prayer is offered in each house by the respective invited chaplains, after which the Reading Clerk (in the Assembly) and the Assistant Secretary (in the Senate) read the certificate of duly elected members as certified by the Secretary of State.

In the Assembly, the Reading Clerk then calls the roll of counties in alphabetical order. As the counties are called, the member-elect representing such county or counties stand to take the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution, which is administered by a justice or judge of the California courts, or other appropriate official.

Election of Assembly Officers

The first order of business after the new members have taken their oaths of office is the nomination and election of the Speaker and President pro-Tem of the respective house. Subsequently, in the Assembly, a Chief Clerk, a Sergeant at Arms are and a chaplain are nominated and elected by a majority vote of the duly elected and qualified members. The Minute Clerk of the Assembly is appointed by the Chief Clerk, subject to approval by the Assembly Rules Committee. Each officer, upon his or her election, takes the constitutional oath of office. The Speaker appoints a Speaker pro Tempore, an Assistant Speaker pro Tempore who's duty is to preside over the sessions of the Assembly in the event of the absence of the Speaker. A Majority Floor Leader is appointed by the Speaker, after consultation with his or her supporting majority; and a Minority Floor Leader is selected by the minority caucus. The Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, Assistant Speaker pro Tempore, and the Majority and Minority Floor Leaders are chosen from the membership of the House, but the other elected officers are not Members of the Legislature.

Information on this page provided by the California State Assembly
Office of the Chief Clerk