While all states have a similar basic setup, how each state government operates varies, as does each state legislature. 

The Texas legislature, for example, meets only every other year, and for a maximum of 140 days, compared to the annual, nearly 210-day sessions in California.

In other states — Idaho, New Mexico and Utah, among them — legislators only serve part-time. While rank-and-file California legislators get paid about $120,000 a year, much more than in nearly every other state, some have outside business income. 

Because of California's large population and relatively small Legislature, each lawmaker represents more people than in any other state, according to Ballotpedia. Each state senator represents nearly 976,000 people, while each Assembly member represents about 488,000.

North Dakota's senators represent the fewest people, about 16,600 each, while New Hampshire’s representatives represent the fewest, 3,444 residents. For comparison, each U.S. House member represents about 766,000 people.

California ranks 12th in spending per person at $9,040. Alaska and Hawaii spend the most, about $16,300 and $12,500, respectively.