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Title: Charles Imbrecht Papers
Dates: 1976-1983
Collection number: LP436
Creator:
Charles Imbrecht, California Legislator
Collection Size:
8 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Charles Richard Imbrecht, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1977 until 1982, and represented the 36th Assemby
District. Record series in his papers include Bill Files, 1977-1982; Assembly Ways and Means Committee Files, 1979-1983; Subject
Files, 1976-1983; District Issues, 1976-1982; Speeches, 1977-1982; and Press Releases, 1977-1982.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Charles Imbrecht Papers, LP436:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Charles Imbrecht Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.
Charles Richard Imbrecht, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1977 until 1982. His 36th Assembly District included
the cities of Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Santa Paula within Ventura County.
Imbrecht was born on February 4, 1949 in Ventura, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Occidental
College and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Law School. He was the Business Editor of the Loyola Law Review, the
captain of the National Moot Court Team, and a published author on criminal law. Before his term as a member of the California
State Assembly began, he worked as a staff attorney for the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, D.C.
Imbrecht ran for election in California's 36th Assembly District in 1976 at the age of 27. He was unopposed in the Republican
primary and won an upset victory in the General Election. From 1977 until 1978, Imbrecht was the youngest member of the State
Legislature. He was re-elected in 1978 with 67% of the vote and in 1980 with 68% of the vote. In 1979, he was chosen to serve
as the Republican Party's Caucus Chairman.
In addition, Imbrecht was the Assembly's representative on the California Judicial Council. He also served on the California
Commission on Finance and was a delegate to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Commission of the Californias.
In 1982, Imbrecht gave up his seat in the Assembly in order to run for election in California's 18th Senate District. He lost
to Democrat Gary Hart, but was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the California Energy Commission the following year.
As chairman, he served on the Commission's Budget and Management Committee and the Legislative Committee. Imbrecht resigned
from the Energy Commission in 1997. He died of a heart attack on January 18, 2000.
During his time in the Legislature, Imbrecht was a member of the following committees:
- Standing Committees
- Finance, Insurance and Commerce, 1981-1982
- Housing and Community Development, 1977-1978
- Judiciary, 1977-1982 (Vice Chair, 1979-1982)
- Vice Chair, 1979-1982
- Policy Research Management, 1981-1982
- Revenue and Taxation, 1977-1980
- Ways and Means, 1979-1982 (Chair, 1981-1982)
- Chair, 1981-1982
- Subcommittees
- Constitutional Amendments, 1979-1980 (Chair, 1979-1980)
- Chair, 1979-1980
- Health and Welfare, 1979-1980
- Select Committees
- Energy Alternatives in Agriculture, 1981-1982 (Vice Chair, 1982; Farm Labor, 1980; Non-Profit Corporations Code, 1977-1980)
- Vice Chair, 1982 Farm Labor, 1980 Non-Profit Corporations Code, 1977-1980
- Joint Committees
- Legislative Audit, 1981-1982
- Legislative Budget, 1981-1982
- Tort Liability, 1979
The Charles R. Imbrecht Papers consist of 8 cubic feet of textual records reflecting Imbrecht's legislative activities during
his time as a member of the California State Legislature. Record series include Bill Files, 1977-1982; Assembly Ways and Means
Committee Files, 1979-1983; Subject Files, 1976-1983; District Issues, 1976-1982; Speeches, 1977-1982; and Press Releases,
1977-1982.
The Bill Files are particularly useful for researchers interested in topics relating to California's state budget or judicial
system. As chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Imbrecht oversaw the passage of all fiscal bills. As an attorney
and Vice Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, he also focused on issues concerning courts and court personnel, custody
disputes, and tort reform. Other topics of note within this series include education funding, taxes, and transportation.
The Assembly Ways and Means Committee Files, Subject Files, District Issues, Speeches, and Press Releases also shed light
on Imbrecht's legislative activities and the issues affecting the 36th Assembly District between 1976 and 1983. Imbrecht's
topics of interest included highway safety, education, energy resources, and water rights. He worked to improve rural schools
and the state highway systems. He also advocated for alternative energy sources, water use efficiency, and clarifications
in water rights law.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Charles R. Imbrecht
California. Legislature. Assembly
United States. Interstate Commerce Commission.