Inventory of the Records of the Commission on State Mandates
Processed by Gabriela Landeros
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: archivesweb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2011
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Records of the Commission on State Mandates
Collection number: R138
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Gabriela Landeros
- Date Completed:
- September 2011
- Encoded by:
- Sara Kuzak
© 2011 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Inventory of the Records of the Commission on State Mandates
Dates: 1973-2003
Collection number: R138
Creator:
Commission on State Mandates
Collection Size:
8 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: The records of the Commission on State Mandates document the hearings and applications surrounding claims for reimbursement
by local agencies and school districts due to increased costs mandated by the state.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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], Commission on State Mandates Records, R138.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
Records were received in a series of transfers.
Administrative History
The Commission on State Mandates determines if local agencies and school districts are entitled to reimbursement due to increased
costs mandated by the state. Reimbursement can occur when the state legislature passes a law or when the Governor or a state
agency issues an executive order or regulation to constitute new programs or a higher level of service. The concept originated
with the Property Tax Relief Act of 1972 (SB90, Statutes of 1972, Chapter 1406) with the primary purpose of state reimbursement,
limiting the ability of local agencies and school districts to levy taxes. At the time of creation, the Legislature authorized
the State Board of Control to hear and decide claims requesting reimbursement for increased costs on state ordered mandates.
Since 1972, the process of determining reimbursement has evolved. In 1979 Proposition 4 was approved by voters, adding Article
XIII B, section 6 to the California Constitution, superseding SB90. The Article imposed appropriation limits on the tax proceeds
of both state and local agencies. Adding Section 6 required that the state provide a subvention of funds to reimburse the
costs, with certain exceptions. With the implementation of Section 6, the Legislature enacted Government Code Section 17500
et seq. under Statutes of 1984, Chapter 1459, creating the Commission on State Mandates, relieving the State Board of Control.
The creation of the Commission allowed for a more effective system of possible reimbursement, providing an objective forum
in determining whether a statute or executive order constitutes reimbursement for a state mandated program. In 1993, the Commission
was given an added duty with SB1033 (Statutes 1993, Chapter 72), in reviewing county applications to find significant financial
distress. In 1995, SB11 (Statutes 1995, Chapter 945) added statutory changes which set timelines for the Commission to complete
all actions on a test claim. The bill was revised in the urgency bill AB1963 (Statutes 1998, Chapter 681) effective September
22, 1998.
The mandate determination process in establishing possible reimbursement begins with a statute or executive order, a test
claim, the development of parameters and guidelines that describe the activities and costs that are eligible for reimbursement,
a statewide cost estimate, and a final step for claiming instructions. When the test claim process is complete a reimbursement
claim can be filed with the State Controller. A possible amendment to the parameter and guidelines can be amended, a filing
of an incorrect reduction claim after review, and lastly the Commission conducts a fair and impartial hearing to determine
the entitlement for reimbursement of increased costs mandated by the state.
The Commission was composed of five members in 1984: The State Controller, State Treasurer, Director of the Department of
Finance, Director of the Office of Planning and Research, and a Public Member with experience in Public Finance. Effective
in 1997 two local elected official positions were added to the members of the Commission. The Governor may appoint a governing
board member of a school district, a city council member, or a member of a county or city and county board of supervision
to the elected official positions. The public members and the two elected officials are subject to Senate confirmation and
serve a term of four years, subject to reappointment.
Scope and Content
The records of the Commission on State Mandates document the hearings and applications surrounding claims for reimbursement
by local agencies and school districts due to increased costs mandated by the state. The record group contains 8 cubic feet
of textual records covering the period 1973-2003 and includes Rulemaking Files, Meeting Files, Closed/Inactive Test Claims,
Closed/Inactive Incorrect Reduction Claims, and Closed/Inactive Reimbursement Claims. The Test Claims, Incorrect Reduction
Claims, and Reimbursement Claims highlight the Commission on State Mandates and its predecessor, the State Board of Control's,
undertaking in determining possible reimbursement increase mandates.
The bulk of the records of the Commission on State Mandates describe the process of determining a possible reimbursement to
local agencies and school districts. The records consist of correspondence, test claim hearings, minutes, budget and financial
records, parameters and guidelines regarding the hearing process, and conducted research and analyses between parties surrounding
the test claim.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
California. Commission on State Mandates
R138.001, Box 1, folders 1-13
Series 1
Rulemaking Files
1996-2001
Physical Description: 13 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged numerically by Office of Administrative Law file number.
Scope and Content Note
The Rulemaking Files regulate the implementation of SB11 (Statutes 1995, Chapter 945) that created a timely process of hearings
for possible state mandate reimbursement. Contents include commission meetings, test claims, other claims, hearings and decisions,
rulemaking and informational hearings, financial applications, administration, and forms.
R138.002, Box 1, folder 14 - Box 6, folder 9
Series 2
Meeting Packets
2000-2003
Physical Description: 71 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by meeting date.
Scope and Content Note
The Meeting Files contain packets from the Commission's meetings which include approval of minutes, hearings and decisions,
executive director's report, and public comments.
R138.003, Box 6, folder 10 - Box 8, folder 10
Series 3
Closed/Inactive Test Claims
1973-1988
Physical Description: 31 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by title of claim and claimant.
Scope and Content Note
Series includes test claims for Psychological Evaluations-County of Fresno (1983), Cancer Registry-Selma District Hospital
(1987), School Crossing Guard Program-County of Santa Cruz (1979), Vocational Rehabilitation-County of Los Angeles, Inglewood
Unified School District (1974), and Voluntary Desegregation-Pajaro Valley Unified School District (1983). Test claim files
include correspondence, opinions, minutes, test claims, statement of decisions, and declarations of service. The test claims
relate to reimbursable mandates placed upon local agencies and school districts by the Legislature.
The Commission on State Mandates replaced the Board of Control's Local Mandate Unit effective January 1, 1985. Some files
in the series were closed prior to 1985 and were maintained exclusively by the Board of Control. However, most files in this
series were initiated by the Board of Control, but were not closed until after 1985 by the Commission on State Mandates.
R138.004, Box 8, folders 11-14
Series 4
Closed/Inactive Incorrect Reduction Claims
1974-1988
Physical Description: 4 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by title of claim and claimant.
Scope and Content Note
Series includes claims regarding Substandard Housing-Los Angeles County (1974), Capital Cases-Indigent Defenders Investigators
Fund-Sand Diego County (1977), Victims of Violent Crimes-Counties of Glenn, Lassen, Tehama, Yolo, Sacramento, Madera, and
Ventura (1977), and Fire Doors-Sierra Plumas Unified School District (1982). Claims include correspondence, opinions, minutes,
test claims, statement of decisions, and declarations of service.
The Commission on State Mandates replaced the Board of Control's Local Mandate Unit effective January 1, 1985. Some files
in the series were closed prior to 1985 and were maintained exclusively by the Board of Control. However, most files in this
series were initiated by the Board of Control, but were not closed until after 1985 by the Commission on State Mandates.
R138.005, Box 8, folders 15-18
Series 5
Closed/Inactive Reimbursement Claims
1982-1987
Physical Description: 4 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by title of claim and claimant.
Scope and Content Note
Series includes reimbursement claims regarding Firefighter Safety Clothing and Equipment throughout various counties, and
Voluntary Desegregation in various school districts. Records include hearing transcripts, correspondence, statement of decisions,
and opinions.
The Commission on State Mandates replaced the Board of Control's Local Mandate Unit effective January 1, 1985. Some files
in the series were closed prior to 1985 and were maintained exclusively by the Board of Control. However, most files in this
series were initiated by the Board of Control, but were not closed until after 1985 by the Commission on State Mandates.