Overview

• Over 100 California bills, including measures on homelessness and gun-dealership inspections, were recently placed into the suspense file by legislative committees.
• The suspense file process, which targets bills costing $50,000 or more, operates behind closed doors with minimal public debate or transparency.
• Critics, including Assemblymember Corey Jackson, have labeled the process undemocratic and accused it of being susceptible to political and lobbying influence.
• Some lawmakers allege that the Newsom administration inflates cost estimates to block certain bills, particularly in areas like healthcare reform.
• Historically, one-quarter to one-third of bills placed in the suspense file are killed, with decisions to be announced on a scheduled 'suspense day' in May.