title: California State Legislature, 2015–2016 session
text: # California State Legislature, 2015–2016 session
  
  The 2015–2016 session was a session of the California State Legislature. The session first convened on December 1, 2014, and adjourned sine die on November 30, 2016.
  
  ## Major events
  
  ### Vacancies and special elections
  
  * September 22, 2014: Democratic senator Rod Wright (35th–Inglewood) resigns to serve a jail sentence after conviction for perjury and voter fraud.
  * December 10, 2014: Former Democratic assemblyman Isadore Hall, III of Compton is sworn into office after winning the December 9 special election for the 35th State Senate district to replace Wright.
  * January 2, 2015: Democratic senator Mark DeSaulnier (7th–Concord) resigns to take a seat in Congress.
  * January 3, 2015: Republican senator Mimi Walters (37th–Irvine) resigns to take a seat in Congress.
  * January 5, 2015: Republican senator Steve Knight (21st–Palmdale) resigns to take a seat in Congress.
  * March 19, 2015: Former Republican senator Sharon Runner of Lancaster is sworn into office after winning the March 17 special election for the 21st State Senate district to replace Knight.
  * March 22, 2015: Former Republican county supervisor John Moorlach of Costa Mesa is sworn into office after winning the March 17 special election for the 37th State Senate district to replace Walters.
  * May 28, 2015: Former Orinda mayor Steve Glazer is sworn into office after winning the May 19 special election for the 7th State Senate district to replace DeSaulnier.
  * December 31, 2015: Democratic assemblymember Henry Perea resigns to become senior director of state advocacy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
  * July 14, 2016: Republican senator Sharon Runner (21st–Lancaster) dies of respiratory complications related to scleroderma
  
  ### Leadership changes
  
  * August 27, 2015: Republican senator Jean Fuller (16th–Bakersfield) replaces senator Bob Huff (29th–San Dimas) as Senate minority leader, as Huff is termed out at the end of the session.
  * January 4, 2016: Republican assemblymember Chad Mayes (42nd–Yucca Valley) replaces assemblymember Kristin Olsen (12th–Modesto) as Assembly minority leader, as Olsen is termed out at the end of the session.
  * March 7, 2016: Democratic assemblymember Anthony Rendon (63rd–Lakewood) replaces assemblymember Toni Atkins (78th–San Diego) as speaker, as Atkins is termed out at the end of the session.
  
  ## Senate
  
  | 26 | 1 | 13 |
  | - | - | - |
  | Democratic | Vacant | Republican |
  | Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | | |
  | Affiliation | Democratic | Republican | Total | Vacant | Suspended |
  | End of previous legislature | 25 | 12 | 37 | 1 | 2 |
  | Begin | 25 | 14 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
  | December 10, 2014 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
  | January 2, 2015 | 25 | 14 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
  | January 3, 2015 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
  | January 5, 2015 | 25 | 12 | 37 | 3 | 0 |
  | March 19, 2015 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
  | March 22, 2015 | 25 | 14 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
  | May 28, 2015 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
  | July 14, 2016 | 26 | 13 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
  | Latest voting share | 65% | 35% | | | |
  
  ### Officers
  
  | Position | Position | Name | Party | District |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Lieutenant Governor | Gavin Newsom | Democratic | |
  | | President pro tempore | Kevin de León | Democratic | 24th–Los Angeles |
  | | Majority leader | Bill Monning | Democratic | 17th–Carmel |
  | | Majority whip | Lois Wolk | Democratic | 3rd–Davis |
  | | Majority caucus chair | Connie Leyva | Democratic | 20th–Chino |
  | | Majority caucus vice chair | Mike McGuire | Democratic | 2nd–Healdsburg |
  | | Minority leader | Jean Fuller | Republican | 16th–Bakersfield |
  | | Minority caucus chair | Tom Berryhill | Republican | 8th–Twain Harte |
  | | Minority caucus whip | Ted Gaines | Republican | 1st–El Dorado Hills |
  | | Minority caucus assistant whip | Patricia Bates | Republican | 36th–Laguna Niguel |
  | Secretary | Secretary | Daniel Alvarez | Daniel Alvarez | Daniel Alvarez |
  | Sergeant-at-Arms | Sergeant-at-Arms | Debbie Manning | Debbie Manning | Debbie Manning |
  | Chaplain | Chaplain | Sister Michelle Gorman | Sister Michelle Gorman | Sister Michelle Gorman |
  
  The Secretary, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Chaplain are not members of the Legislature.
  
  ### Members
  
  | District | Name | Party | Residence | Term-limited? | Notes |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Ted Gaines | Republican | El Dorado Hills | | |
  | 2 | Mike McGuire | Democratic | Healdsburg | | |
  | 3 | Lois Wolk | Democratic | Davis | Yes | |
  | 4 | Jim Nielsen | Republican | Gerber | | |
  | 5 | Cathleen Galgiani | Democratic | Stockton | | |
  | 6 | Richard Pan | Democratic | Sacramento | | |
  | 7 | Mark DeSaulnier | Democratic | Concord | Yes | Resigned on January 2, 2015 |
  | 7 | Vacant from January 2, 2015, to May 28, 2015 | Vacant from January 2, 2015, to May 28, 2015 | Vacant from January 2, 2015, to May 28, 2015 | Vacant from January 2, 2015, to May 28, 2015 | Vacant from January 2, 2015, to May 28, 2015 |
  | 7 | Steve Glazer | Democratic | Orinda | | Sworn into office on May 28, 2015 |
  | 8 | Tom Berryhill | Republican | Twain Harte | | |
  | 9 | Loni Hancock | Democratic | Berkeley | Yes | |
  | 10 | Bob Wieckowski | Democratic | Fremont | | |
  | 11 | Mark Leno | Democratic | San Francisco | Yes | |
  | 12 | Anthony Cannella | Republican | Ceres | | |
  | 13 | Jerry Hill | Democratic | San Mateo | | |
  | 14 | Andy Vidak | Republican | Hanford | | |
  | 15 | Jim Beall | Democratic | San Jose | | |
  | 16 | Jean Fuller | Republican | Bakersfield | | Minority leader since August 27, 2015 |
  | 17 | Bill Monning | Democratic | Carmel | | |
  | 18 | Robert Hertzberg | Democratic | Van Nuys | | |
  | 19 | Hannah-Beth Jackson | Democratic | Santa Barbara | | |
  | 20 | Connie Leyva | Democratic | Chino | | |
  | 21 | Steve Knight | Republican | Palmdale | | Resigned on January 5, 2015 |
  | 21 | Vacant from January 5, 2015, to March 19, 2015 | Vacant from January 5, 2015, to March 19, 2015 | Vacant from January 5, 2015, to March 19, 2015 | Vacant from January 5, 2015, to March 19, 2015 | Vacant from January 5, 2015, to March 19, 2015 |
  | 21 | Sharon Runner | Republican | Lancaster | | Sworn into office on March 19, 2015, died July 14, 2016 |
  | 21 | Vacant from July 14, 2016, to November 30, 2016 | Vacant from July 14, 2016, to November 30, 2016 | Vacant from July 14, 2016, to November 30, 2016 | Vacant from July 14, 2016, to November 30, 2016 | Vacant from July 14, 2016, to November 30, 2016 |
  | 22 | Ed Hernandez | Democratic | West Covina | | |
  | 23 | Mike Morrell | Republican | Rancho Cucamonga | | |
  | 24 | Kevin de León | Democratic | Los Angeles | | President pro tempore |
  | 25 | Carol Liu | Democratic | La Cañada Flintridge | Yes | |
  | 26 | Ben Allen | Democratic | Santa Monica | | |
  | 27 | Fran Pavley | Democratic | Agoura Hills | Yes | |
  | 28 | Jeff Stone | Republican | Temecula | | |
  | 29 | Bob Huff | Republican | San Dimas | Yes | Minority leader from January 5, 2012, to August 27, 2015 |
  | 30 | Holly Mitchell | Democratic | Los Angeles | | |
  | 31 | Richard Roth | Democratic | Riverside | | |
  | 32 | Tony Mendoza | Democratic | Artesia | | |
  | 33 | Ricardo Lara | Democratic | Bell Gardens | | |
  | 34 | Janet Nguyen | Republican | Garden Grove | | |
  | 35 | Vacant from September 22, 2014, to December 10, 2014 | Vacant from September 22, 2014, to December 10, 2014 | Vacant from September 22, 2014, to December 10, 2014 | Vacant from September 22, 2014, to December 10, 2014 | Vacant from September 22, 2014, to December 10, 2014 |
  | 35 | Isadore Hall, III | Democratic | Compton | | Sworn into office on December 10, 2014 |
  | 36 | Patricia Bates | Republican | Laguna Niguel | | |
  | 37 | Mimi Walters | Republican | Irvine | | Resigned on January 3, 2015 |
  | 37 | Vacant from January 3, 2015, to March 22, 2015 | Vacant from January 3, 2015, to March 22, 2015 | Vacant from January 3, 2015, to March 22, 2015 | Vacant from January 3, 2015, to March 22, 2015 | Vacant from January 3, 2015, to March 22, 2015 |
  | 37 | John Moorlach | Republican | Costa Mesa | | Sworn into office on March 22, 2015 |
  | 38 | Joel Anderson | Republican | Alpine | | |
  | 39 | Marty Block | Democratic | San Diego | | |
  | 40 | Ben Hueso | Democratic | San Diego | | |
  
  ## Assembly
  
  | 52 | 28 |
  | - | - |
  | Democratic | Republican |
  | Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |
  | Affiliation | Democratic | Republican | Total | Vacant |
  | End of previous legislature | 55 | 24 | 79 | 1 |
  | Begin | 52 | 28 | 80 | 0 |
  | December 31, 2015 | 51 | 28 | 79 | 1 |
  | April 14, 2016 | 52 | 28 | 80 | 0 |
  | Latest voting share | 65% | 35% | | |
  
  ### Officers
  
  | Position | Position | Name | Party | District |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Speaker | Anthony Rendon | Democratic | 63rd–Lakewood |
  | | Speaker emeritus | Toni Atkins | Democratic | 78th–San Diego |
  | | Speaker pro tempore | Kevin Mullin | Democratic | 22nd–South San Francisco |
  | | Assistant speaker pro tempore | Autumn Burke | Democratic | 62nd–Marina del Rey |
  | | Majority floor leader | Ian Calderon | Democratic | 57th–Whittier |
  | | Assistant majority floor leader | Jim Cooper | Democratic | 9th–Elk Grove |
  | | Majority whip | Miguel Santiago | Democratic | 53rd–Los Angeles |
  | | Democratic whip | Nora Campos | Democratic | 27th–San Jose |
  | | Assistant majority whip | Evan Low | Democratic | 28th–Campbell |
  | | Majority caucus chair | Mike Gipson | Democratic | 64th–Carson |
  | | Minority leader | Chad Mayes | Republican | 42nd–Yucca Valley |
  | | Assistant minority leaders | Frank Bigelow | Republican | 5th–O'Neals |
  | | Assistant minority leaders | Jay Obernolte | Republican | 33rd–Big Bear Lake |
  | | Assistant minority leaders | Kristin Olsen | Republican | 12th–Riverbank |
  | | Minority caucus chair | Brian Jones | Republican | 71st–Santee |
  | | Minority floor leader | Marie Waldron | Republican | 75th–Escondido |
  | | Deputy minority floor leader | Bill Brough | Republican | 73rd–Dana Point |
  | | Chief minority whip | James Gallagher | Republican | 3rd–Nicolaus |
  | | Minority whips | Ling Ling Chang | Republican | 55th–Diamond Bar |
  | | Minority whips | Beth Gaines | Republican | 6th–Roseville |
  | Chief Clerk | Chief Clerk | E. Dotson Wilson | E. Dotson Wilson | E. Dotson Wilson |
  | Sergeant-at-Arms | Sergeant-at-Arms | Ronald Pane | Ronald Pane | Ronald Pane |
  | Chaplain | Chaplain | Father Constantine Papademos | Father Constantine Papademos | Father Constantine Papademos |
  
  The Chief Clerk, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Chaplain are not members of the Legislature.
  
  ### Members
  
  | District | Name | Party | Residence | Term-limited? | Notes |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Brian Dahle | Republican | Bieber | | |
  | 2 | Jim Wood | Democratic | Healdsburg | | |
  | 3 | James Gallagher | Republican | Nicolaus | | |
  | 4 | Bill Dodd | Democratic | Napa | | |
  | 5 | Frank Bigelow | Republican | O'Neals | | |
  | 6 | Beth Gaines | Republican | El Dorado Hills | Yes | |
  | 7 | Kevin McCarty | Democratic | Sacramento | | |
  | 8 | Ken Cooley | Democratic | Rancho Cordova | | |
  | 9 | Jim Cooper | Democratic | Elk Grove | | |
  | 10 | Marc Levine | Democratic | San Rafael | | |
  | 11 | Jim Frazier | Democratic | Oakley | | |
  | 12 | Kristin Olsen | Republican | Riverbank | Yes | Minority leader from December 1, 2014, to January 4, 2016 |
  | 13 | Susan Eggman | Democratic | Stockton | | |
  | 14 | Susan Bonilla | Democratic | Concord | Yes | |
  | 15 | Tony Thurmond | Democratic | Richmond | | |
  | 16 | Catharine Baker | Republican | Dublin | | |
  | 17 | David Chiu | Democratic | San Francisco | | |
  | 18 | Rob Bonta | Democratic | Alameda | | |
  | 19 | Phil Ting | Democratic | San Francisco | | |
  | 20 | Bill Quirk | Democratic | Hayward | | |
  | 21 | Adam Gray | Democratic | Merced | | |
  | 22 | Kevin Mullin | Democratic | South San Francisco | | |
  | 23 | Jim Patterson | Republican | Fresno | | |
  | 24 | Rich Gordon | Democratic | Menlo Park | Yes | |
  | 25 | Kansen Chu | Democratic | San Jose | | |
  | 26 | Devon Mathis | Republican | Visalia | | |
  | 27 | Nora Campos | Democratic | San Jose | Yes | |
  | 28 | Evan Low | Democratic | Campbell | | |
  | 29 | Mark Stone | Democratic | Scotts Valley | | |
  | 30 | Luis Alejo | Democratic | Salinas | Yes | |
  | 31 | Henry Perea | Democratic | Fresno | Yes | Resigned on December 31, 2015 |
  | 31 | Vacant from December 31, 2015, to April 14, 2016 | Vacant from December 31, 2015, to April 14, 2016 | Vacant from December 31, 2015, to April 14, 2016 | Vacant from December 31, 2015, to April 14, 2016 | Vacant from December 31, 2015, to April 14, 2016 |
  | 31 | Joaquin Arambula | Democratic | Kingsburg | | Sworn into office on April 14, 2016 |
  | 32 | Rudy Salas | Democratic | Bakersfield | | |
  | 33 | Jay Obernolte | Republican | Big Bear Lake | | |
  | 34 | Shannon Grove | Republican | Bakersfield | Yes | |
  | 35 | Katcho Achadjian | Republican | San Luis Obispo | Yes | |
  | 36 | Tom Lackey | Republican | Palmdale | | |
  | 37 | Das Williams | Democratic | Carpinteria | Yes | |
  | 38 | Scott Wilk | Republican | Santa Clarita | | |
  | 39 | Patty Lopez | Democratic | San Fernando | | |
  | 40 | Marc Steinorth | Republican | Rancho Cucamonga | | |
  | 41 | Chris Holden | Democratic | Pasadena | | |
  | 42 | Chad Mayes | Republican | Yucca Valley | | Minority leader since January 4, 2016 |
  | 43 | Mike Gatto | Democratic | Los Angeles | Yes | |
  | 44 | Jacqui Irwin | Democratic | Thousand Oaks | | |
  | 45 | Matt Dababneh | Democratic | Encino | | |
  | 46 | Adrin Nazarian | Democratic | Sherman Oaks | | |
  | 47 | Cheryl Brown | Democratic | Rialto | | |
  | 48 | Roger Hernandez | Democratic | West Covina | Yes | |
  | 49 | Ed Chau | Democratic | Monterey Park | | |
  | 50 | Richard Bloom | Democratic | Santa Monica | | |
  | 51 | Jimmy Gomez | Democratic | Echo Park | | |
  | 52 | Freddie Rodriguez | Democratic | Pomona | | |
  | 53 | Miguel Santiago | Democratic | Los Angeles | | |
  | 54 | Sebastian Ridley-Thomas | Democratic | Los Angeles | | |
  | 55 | Ling Ling Chang | Republican | Diamond Bar | | |
  | 56 | Eduardo Garcia | Democratic | Coachella | | |
  | 57 | Ian Calderon | Democratic | Whittier | | |
  | 58 | Cristina Garcia | Democratic | Bell Gardens | | |
  | 59 | Reggie Jones-Sawyer | Democratic | Los Angeles | | |
  | 60 | Eric Linder | Republican | Corona | | |
  | 61 | Jose Medina | Democratic | Riverside | | |
  | 62 | Autumn Burke | Democratic | Marina del Rey | | |
  | 63 | Anthony Rendon | Democratic | Lakewood | | Speaker since March 7, 2016 |
  | 64 | Mike Gipson | Democratic | Carson | | |
  | 65 | Young Kim | Republican | Fullerton | | |
  | 66 | David Hadley | Republican | Manhattan Beach | | |
  | 67 | Melissa Melendez | Republican | Lake Elsinore | | |
  | 68 | Don Wagner | Republican | Irvine | Yes | |
  | 69 | Tom Daly | Democratic | Anaheim | | |
  | 70 | Patrick O'Donnell | Democratic | Long Beach | | |
  | 71 | Brian Jones | Republican | Santee | Yes | |
  | 72 | Travis Allen | Republican | Huntington Beach | | |
  | 73 | Bill Brough | Republican | Dana Point | | |
  | 74 | Matthew Harper | Republican | Huntington Beach | | |
  | 75 | Marie Waldron | Republican | Escondido | | |
  | 76 | Rocky Chavez | Republican | Oceanside | | |
  | 77 | Brian Maienschein | Republican | San Diego | | |
  | 78 | Toni Atkins | Democratic | San Diego | Yes | Speaker from December 1, 2014, to March 7, 2016 |
  | 79 | Shirley Weber | Democratic | San Diego | | |
  | 80 | Lorena Gonzalez | Democratic | San Diego | | |
  