Final answer:
The legislature of California is a bicameral body with two houses, the State Senate and the State Assembly, presided over by the President pro Tempore and the Speaker respectively. Both houses include leaders from the majority and minority parties and must collaborate to pass state legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Describe the Bicameral Legislature of California
The legislature of California is a bicameral body consisting of two separate chambers: the California State Senate and the California State Assembly. Just like the United States Congress, California's bicameral structure is designed to provide a dual system of representation. The State Senate serves as the upper house while the State Assembly acts as the lower house.
Leadership in Each House
In the California State Senate, the presiding officer is the President pro Tempore who is elected by the senators from among their membership. The current structure includes 40 senators who serve four-year terms, representing districts across the state. The Senate leadership also includes majority and minority leadership positions, such as the Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
The California State Assembly is led by the Speaker, who is elected by the assembly members. The Assembly consists of 80 members who serve two-year terms, each representing their own district. Similarly to the Senate, the Assembly has a Majority Leader and Minority Leader as part of its leadership structure.
Both chambers of the California legislature must work together to pass legislation that affects the state, including developing the state budget, enacting laws, and deciding other important state policies.