How Does Law Work? SF Gov Homework #2
In class #2 of “How San Francisco Government Works” we learned about the types of law, the hierarchy that they are in, and how they work.
A big benefit of learning this stuff is that you can understand what you hear in the news more. For example, whether something is “unconstitutional” or not is constantly discussed.
If you read the Constitution, you realize there isn’t a whole lot in it. Not that it isn’t important or amazing, but just that it’s incredibly brief. It’s not a long list of laws, but more “Here are the basic rules of this nation. You can fill in the blanks now.”
The Federal government is the highest authority for many things and the States are the highest authority for things the Feds leave up to them.
The Federal government is the highest authority for many things and the States are the highest authority for the rest. In practice, there is often tension between the two over their authority.
Then you learn that the legislative branch like Congress makes some of the rest of the laws. But it trickles down where more specialized and localized agencies pass laws for their field or location.
Everyone delegates. And then the courts are always interpreting the laws in this symbiotic circle.
It’s a good exercise to look up the local laws (which is often really annoying to do as many aren’t in a centralized location) and see what it looks like, from the mundane to the very impactful.
Homework #2 Below:
1. Hierarchy of Law
Complete Hierarchy of Law
Federal (US)
Constitutional: US Constitution
Statutory: US Code (USC)
Administrative: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
State (California)
Constitutional: CA Constitution
Statutory: CA Code
Administrative: California Code of Regulations
Local (San Francisco)
Constitutional: subject to CA Constitution
Statutory: SF Charter
Administrative: SF Municipal Codes
Case: subject to California state courts
2. Legislative Research: Statutory Law
2025 Legislation Sponsored by Supervisor Sauter
Ordinances introduced so far this year: # 1
Ordinances passed so far this year: # 1
Ordinance research: (choose the item most interesting to you and provide more information)
Title: Ordinance approving amendments to the rules and regulations for the Neighborhood Beautification and Graffiti Clean-up Fund.
File Number: 250488
Cosponsors: Joel Engardio, Rafael Mandelman, Stephen Sherrill, Shamann Walton
Introduced: 5/6/2025
Status: Passed 6/24/2025
Book of law affected: Administrative Code
Why is this interesting or important? I don’t think it’s that interesting but it’s the only thing Sauter has passed so far. Maybe he’s not a heavyweight or maybe it’s too soon? I guess I’ll learn more! They are amending it to take into account new grant rules from Administrative Code Section 21G.
3. Legislative Research: Administrative Law
2025 regulations made by the Police Commission
Item name or number: RESOLUTION NO. 25-44
Description: APPROVAL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION URGING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ACCEPT SAN FRANCISCO POLICE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND RIPPLE LABS, INC. DONATION OF FUNDS AND IN-KIND GIFTS VALUED AT
APPROXIMATELY $9,381,571 TO SUPPORT THE REAL TIME INVESTIGATION CENTER (RTIC);
Date passed: June 4, 2025
Why is this interesting or important? I think it’s interesting to see how the city of San Francisco and the country at large deal with surveillance technology and how San Francisco fought it vigorously at first and is now embracing it. Seeing how the powerful can influence the city in a very direct way like this is notable and I also think it’s interesting how much of the Police Commissions resolutions deal with donations.
How does this regulation compare to the ordinance you researched? It’s much more interesting and consequential and not just administrative code changes.