Neither house has expanded from the sizes set in the 1879 constitution,[1] and each of the 40 state senators represents approximately 931,349 people.

[4] In the current legislative session, the Democratic Party holds 30 out of the 40 seats, which constitutes a 75% majority, well over the two-thirds supermajority threshold of 27.

[10] The lieutenant governor is the ex officio president of the senate, and may only cast a vote to break a tie.

The president pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus, followed by confirmation of the full senate.

The red tones of the California State Senate chamber are based on the British House of Lords, which is outfitted in a similar color.

The lower tier dais runs across the entire chamber, there are several chairs and computers used by the senate officers, the most prominent seat is reserved for the secretary who calls the roll.

There are four other chairs flanking the dais used by the highest non-member officials attending the senate, a foreign dignitary or state officer for example.

Along the cornice appears a portrait of George Washington and the Latin quotation senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri ("It is the duty of the senator to guard the civil liberties of the Commonwealth").