California Senate establishes Budget and Fiscal Review Committee for extraordinary session; allows weekend bill amendments

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 10, 2025 — The California State Senate voted 24–9 on Jan. 10 to adopt Senate Resolution 1 (SR 1), creating a Budget and Fiscal Review Committee as a standing committee for the 2025–26 first extraordinary session, and in a separate roll-call approved a motion to permit amendments to bills that cross the desk Friday through Sunday, Jan. 10–12.

The measures are procedural but set the framework for how the chamber will handle legislation during the extraordinary session. Supporters said the committee will help the Senate process urgent fiscal bills; opponents said the actions diverted attention and resources at a time when the state faces pressing emergencies, including large wildfires in Southern California.

“SR 1 will establish the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee as a standing committee for the first extraordinary session to allow us to process the important legislation that is moving forward,” said Senator Scott Wiener, who presented SR 1 on the floor and asked colleagues for an “I” vote (in concurrence).

Senator Jones, who opposed SR 1 on the floor, called the resolution wasteful and questioned the timing. “This is an…