Law Revision Commission Records, 1954-2010

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
California State Law Revision Commission Records
Dates:
1954-2010
Creators:
State Law Revision Commission
Abstract:
The California Law Revision Commission Records consist of 88.5 cubic feet of textual materials organized into eleven record series: Study Files, 1954-1978; Approved Minutes, 1970-2010; Minutes, 1974-2005; Memoranda Files, 1977-2007; Tentative Recommendations, 1977-2000; Bill Files, 1961-1970; Legislative files, 1959-1969; 1980, Research Files, 1959-1991; Inverse Condemnation Files, 1954-1978; Correspondence Sent, 1975-1995; and General Correspondence, 1979-1988. It is the Law Revision Commission's practice to annually review the calendar of topics that it is authorized to study so that they may make recommendations and propose changes as necessary.
Extent:
88.5 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Law Revision Commission Records, [Identification number].[series number], Box [number], folder [number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The California Law Revision Commission Records consist of 88.5 cubic feet of textual materials organized into eleven record series: Study Files, 1954-1978; Approved Minutes, 1970-2010; Minutes, 1974-2005; Memoranda Files, 1977-2007; Tentative Recommendations, 1977-2000; Bill Files, 1961-1970; Legislative files, 1959-1969; 1980, Research Files, 1959-1991; Inverse Condemnation Files, 1954-1978; Correspondence Sent, 1975-1995; and General Correspondence, 1979-1988. It is the Law Revision Commission's practice to annually review the calendar of topics that it is authorized to study so that they may make recommendations and propose changes as necessary.

Minutes is the largest series in the collection and includes studies, information for legislative bills under review or proposed legislation, letters to and from the committee about proposed changes, memoranda, and transcripts of meetings. These files document the Commission's projects and plans for updating and introducing legislation. The Commission meetings generally took place once per month and were held throughout California. Memoranda Files are the second largest series and include discussions on probate law, property law, trial court unification, eminent domain, health care, and common interest development. The Commission created the Memornandums so that their ideas and positions were clear on proposed changes to the laws.

The Commission conducted studies of various subjects in order to make recommendations that would free the Legislature to discuss policy questions rather than focus on legal and technical problems. Probate law is a re-occurring topic within this collection while other topics that occur through several series in the collection include powers of attorney, enforcement of judgments law, guardianship-conservatorship law, community property revisions, and amendments to the family code as well as various other topics.

Biographical / historical:

The California Law Revision Commission was created in 1953 through Chapter 1445 as a successor to the California Code Commission (1929-1953). The commission consists of one Senator, one Assembly Member, Legislative Counsel and seven members appointed by the Governor and with the approval of the Senate. The Legislative Counsel is an ex officio member of the Commission.

The California Law Revision Commission is an independent agency and makes recommendations to the Legislature and Governor about revisions to California law. The commission only studies topics that are authorized by the Legislature and the number of agenda topics and the topics themselves may vary year to year. Once legislation is submitted to the legislature, the Commission makes sure that its recommendations are understood and implemented as they intended and reviews legislation recommending changes as necessary. When reviewing proposed reform to a law, the commission solicits public input and suggestions from other sources including the American Law Institute, the national Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, judges, lawyers, public official, and bar associations. Then the commission makes final recommendations to the Legislature and Governor.

The Law Revision Commission is the tool that the Legislature uses to maintain systematic reviews of areas of antiquated or inequitable laws as well as to bring laws up-to-date with modern conditions. Before the Commission, law reform to specific fields was often erratic but through the commission entire codes can be altered through large comprehensive statutes.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the State Law Revision Commission Records according to state law.
Accruals:

Further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Brenda Newman
Date Prepared:
© 2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Brenda Newman. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 01 August 2012.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Law Revision Commission Records, [Identification number].[series number], Box [number], folder [number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website