Office of Governmental Affairs
The mission of the Office of Governmental Affairs is to promote and maintain effective relations with the legislative,
(Assembly 
or Senate ) and executive (Governor ) branches of government and to present the Judicial Council's recommendations on legislative matters affecting the courts pursuant to constitutional mandate. (Cal. Const., art. VI, sect. 6).
In addition to assisting the Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee (PCLC) with its functions, the Office of Governmental Affairs engages in many projects and activities. These activities include advocating before the Legislature and Governor, coordinating outreach programs, producing publications on legislative matters, and advocating trial court funding and the Judicial Branch budget.
The Office of Governmental Affairs Outreach Activities
The Office of Governmental Affairs Publications and Information Services
The Office of Governmental Affairs Outreach Activities
Staff at the Office of Governmental Affairs promote effective communications within the judicial branch and with the legislative and executive branches of state government by coordinating and staffing outreach activities with groups such as the Executive Legislative Action Network (ELAN), the Bench/Bar Coalition (BBC), and the Trial Courts Consolidated Legislation Committee (TCCLC).
1. EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE ACTION NETWORK
ELAN was created in February of 1993 to facilitate the goals of the Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee. ELAN is an 84-member statewide network of appellate and trial court judges and court administrators. In 2001, the membership was increased to include one judicial officer from each county in the state, creating a more evenly distributed membership and a wider audience.
The main responsibilities of ELAN members are to: (1) review and comment on significant legislation which is to be considered by the PCLC, (2) disseminate information within the judiciary regarding policy issues, and (3) coordinate advocacy within regions on key measures that affect the courts.
2. DAY ON THE BENCH
The Day-on-the-Bench is a statewide program in which Legislators will spend approximately a half day visiting a court in the legislator's district. During the visit, the legislator will observe court proceedings, meet with a host judge and perhaps the presiding judge and court administrator, and discuss issues of mutual concern about the courts and the judiciary.
The program is designed to give legislators a personal understanding of the volume, complexity and variety of daily duties and responsibilities of a judge. This experience is intended to impress upon legislators the significant role played by the courts and the justice system, their impact on the daily lives of our citizens, and the need for legislative support.
3. LIAISON PROGRAM
Related to its advocacy function, the liaison program is the Office of Governmental Affairs' ongoing effort to maintain contact and work cooperatively with groups involved in the judicial and court systems, including the California Judges Association
(CJA), the California State Association of Counties
(CSAC) , the California District Attorneys Association
(CDAA ), the
State Bar , plaintiffs' and defense bars, and others. Where our positions on issues concur, we form alliances to enhance our advocacy efforts. When our positions on particular issues differ, we negotiate to reach agreement whenever possible. Working with other groups toward achieving common goals has been a longstanding historical component of OGA's work.
4. STATEWIDE BENCH/BAR COALITION
In 1993, under the leadership of the California Association of Local Bars (CALB), a statewide Bench/Bar Coalition (BBC) (PDF, 26 KB), (Membership Application) (DOC, 26 KB) was established to enhance communication and coordinate activities between the judicial community and the state, local, and specialty bars on issues of common interest, particularly in the legislative arena. In addition to conference call and in-person meetings, the BBC meets with legislators at the State Capitol during "Day in Sacramento" activities.
Bench-Bar Coalition event information and meeting materials can be accessed by clicking on the desired item(s) posted below:
| Date |
Event/Location |
Agenda, Meeting Materials |
Monday
October 20, 2008
4:00–5:00 p.m. |
BBC Quarterly Membership Conference Call |
|
Friday
September 26, 2008
8:00-10:30 a.m. |
Bench-Bar Coalition Meeting
2008 Annual Meeting of the State
Bar of California
Monterey, California |
Agenda (PDF, 28 KB)
Chief Justice Ronald M. George’s Welcoming Remarks (PDF) to the BBC. |
Monday
July 21, 2008
4:00–5:00 p.m. |
BBC Quarterly Membership Conference Call |
Agenda (PDF, 24 KB) |
For more information regarding the Bench-Bar Coalition, please contact the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts, Office of Governmental Affairs at 916-323-3121.
5. COALITION OF TRIAL COURT CLERK ASSOCIATIONS
The Coalition of Trial Court Clerk Associations (CTCCA) represents the combined legislative committees of various court administrator and clerk associations. During the legislative session, the co-chairs of CTCCA meet approximately twice a month with the staff of the Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs to share information and develop positions on legislation.
The Office of Governmental Affairs Publications and Information Services
To facilitate communication, staff distributes the following information on current legislative developments:
1. Legislative Status Chart (PDF, 124 KB)
The Office of Governmental Affairs prepares a chart prior to and after each PCLC meeting showing the status of legislation that the PCLC has reviewed. The chart provides details such as the source of the bill, and the bill's current status. The bills are listed in numerical order and indexed by subject. This chart is distributed to ELAN members, Judicial Council members, and all presiding judges and court administrators. It is also available in the Reference section (PDF, 124 KB) of the California Courts site.
2. Policy Coordination and Liaison Committee Agenda Items and Other Key Bills of Interest
The Office of Governmental Affairs distributes summaries and text of legislative measures that are on the PCLC agenda to members of ELAN. Additionally, summaries and text of selected legislative measures are also sent to ELAN members for review and comment. Occasionally, staff sends out "requests for action" asking ELAN members to contact legislators on key bills affecting the judiciary.
3. Legislative Policy Guidelines (PDF, 267 KB)
The Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs monitors legislative activity and represents the council before the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and executive branch agencies. The following summary of council action sets forth concise council policy guidelines regarding court-related legislative proposals. The policy guidelines are organized by topic and further the objectives of the six Judicial Council Strategic Plan goals. The table that follows each policy guideline shows actions taken on legislation that illustrate the policy.
4. Table of Bills Affecting Appellate Courts (PDF, 67 KB)
The Office of Governmental Affairs also distributes to all appellate courts a table of bills that affect appellate courts.
5. The Capitol Connection
The Capitol Connection is a publication of the Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs and is designed to inform judges and court personnel of current events in and around the California Legislature.
If you would like to be sent an e-mail notice each month when the newsletter is published, please send your e-mail address and a short statement requesting to be put on the Capitol Connection notification list to: Yvette Trevino at yvette.trevino@jud.ca.gov.
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This site is for information purposes only. It is provided as a courtesy to inform visitors of legislation relating to the courts. When a measure is posted on this site, it does not imply the Judicial Council endorses the legislation or that the council has taken a formal position on the issue.
