The legal field is a fast-paced one that sees constant change. Strategies that work one year may not be as effective the next, and it’s always important to stay on top of new developments. For those who are interested in growing their practices, there’s a concept that has been gaining ground in recent years called “new law.” It can be hard to pin down but it’s an idea that every lawyer should keep in mind.
New laws are proposed bills and resolutions passed by the City Council or State Legislature and subsequently codified in the City’s Consolidated Laws, as well as regulations created by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). This search page lets you look up all laws, including those vetoed, that have been passed during a particular legislative session. You can also switch which year you’re looking up on the fly.
A bill must be introduced in the House of Representatives or Senate by a senator or representative to become law. It then goes through a process of research, discussion, changes and votes in both chambers. If it passes, the bill is sent to the President of the United States for signing into law. If the bill is not signed into law, it’s vetoed by the President of the United States. Then, the bill can be reintroduced, and the process starts over again.
Some of the most interesting and impactful new laws are those that make their way through the legislative process and receive the Governor’s signature. These include a law that will bring some transparency to workplace pay in California by requiring companies to post salaries for jobs they offer, and a law that will prevent what is sometimes referred to as the “pink tax” by banning stores from charging different prices for products marketed to men and women.