The new year has brought some notable law changes, including undocumented immigrants becoming eligible for Medi-Cal, telehealth for pets and protections for people seeking reproductive rights. And on the roads, it’s now illegal to sell cars with catalytic converters without a vehicle identification number or to make, alter or remove such a converter, and the minimum wage for fast food workers has increased.
LAW: Legislation passed by a legislature, such as Congress. Also called statute or act.
COMMITTEE REPORT: When committee staff write a report on a bill, it provides a valuable legislative history of the law by providing a section-by-section analysis. This is an important tool for the courts and executive departments when reviewing laws enacted by the legislature.
A legislator who presents a bill is known as its author, introducer or patron.