Former New York Surrogate Gideon J. Tucker would be happy today.  Pursuant to Joint Rule 61(a)(15), today is the last day for California’s legislature to pass bills.  Today, also marks the beginning of the legislature’s interim study recess (Joint Rule 51(a)(4)).  Governor Brown will have until October 15 to sign or veto bills passed by the legislature on or before today and in his possession after today (Cal. Const. Art. IV, § 10(b)(1)).  If Governor Brown fails to return a bill to its house of origin by that date, it will become law.  Cal. Const. Art. 4, § 10(b)(1).  Even though the Governor’s office is in the same building has the Senate and Assembly, the requirement that the bill be physically returned is enforced.  When Pete Wilson was governor, nine bills became law when they were left on a copy machine in the Governor’s office by staff. With certain exceptions statutes will take effect on January 1, 2018 (Cal. Const. Art. IV, §8(c)(2)).