When’s the last time you looked at federal statutes and regulations? Being familiar with the laws of your state and country at large is necessary to stay up to date on the changing face of the United States. From the California legislative history to the code sections of each state, federal statutes and regulations are a constantly evolving, shifting dynamic in a constantly evolving landscape. Below is a comprehensive list as to the functioning of Congress, the changing demographics of the Senate and how the country will see itself evolving over time.
Lawyers And Attorneys
Without lawyers the legal field would be incredibly difficult to navigate for the average American. The year 2012 alone had over one million American men and women practicing in the field of law as licensed lawyers and attorneys. Ongoing studies by the American Bar Association (shortened to ABA) found U.S. lawyers to be 70% male and 30% female, though these statistics may see some changes in the upcoming years. Lawyers assist everyday people in navigating the legal field, such as filing for personal injury claims or seeking advice for child custody after the events of a divorce.
Senate And Bills
The Senate is composed of 100 members — two are from each state, regardless of the population or area. They are elected by the people in accordance to the 17th Amendment written in the Constitution, a function that has been in place for many decades. A Senator is required to be at least 30 years of age and a citizen of the United States for nine years. When elected they need to be an inhabitant of the state in which they are chosen to represent. Every term of office is only six years and one-third of the overall membership is elected each second year. It’s estimated there are over 300 bills waiting for Senate action.
Congress And Vetos
Congress serves a different function than the Senate. The cumulative percent of bills enacted in the first year of a session, for example, is around 33% — once a bill passes, the current President has only 10 days to either sign or veto the enrolled bill. Once a proposed amendment makes it through Congress it goes through a rigorous system, analyzed and eventually ratified by at least three-fourths of the states before seeing the light of day. As of now there have been a total of 27 constitutional amendments.
California And Ruling
California is one of the most influential states in the country. This doesn’t mean they are infallible, however, and can still see their federal statutes and regulations altered to accommodate more modern policy. The Californian initiative process, for example, has long been criticized as flawed and will see some key changes in the upcoming years. Fifteen years ago Californian lawmakers decided the public has the unique right to get government records not only as printed pages, but in any format in which they exist. This includes electronic records, among others.
Federal Statutes And Limitations
Being aware of how your country is run is necessary for a few different reasons. The United States is seeing a bevy of cultural and economic shifts due to new elections, changing demographics and expected developments over the next few decades. Businesses need to be aware of differing laws in their state that can affect their ability to effectively run, gather taxes or remain situated throughout the year. The American Bar Association found the majority of American lawyers being between the ages of 45 and 54 years old. The Constitution was created more than 200 years ago and only time will tell how it will hold up in the years to come.
