Inventory of the Assembly Judiciary Committee Records
Kim Mitchell
California State Archives
1020 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
FAX: (916) 653-7363
E-mail: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2010
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Assembly Judiciary Committee Records
Collection number: See series descriptions
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Kim Mitchell and Archives Staff
- Date Completed:
- 2010
- Encoded by:
- Lisa DeHope
© 2010 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Assembly Judiciary Records
Dates: 1849-2006
Collection Number: See series description
Creator:
Assembly Judiciary Committee, 1849-1936;
Assembly Judiciary Committee, 1943-1958;
Assembly Judiciary-Civil Committee, 1959-1961;
Assembly Judiciary Committee, 1961-2008;
Select Committee on Administration of Justice;
Subcommittee on Administration of Justice;
Subcommittee on Adoptions;
Subcommittee on Capital Punishment;
Subcommittee on Civil Law and Procedures;
Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights;
Subcommittee on Criminal Law and Procedure;
Subcommittee on Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court Matters;
Subcommittee on Emergency Use of Party Telephone Lines;
Subcommittee on Escheat;
Subcommittee on Illegal Searches, Seizures, and the Laws of Arrest;
Suncommittee on Long Beach Tidelands;
Subcommittee on Marketing and Trade Practices;
Subcommittee on Narcotics;
Subcommittee on Police Administration;
Subcommittee on Pronographic Literature;
Subcommittee on Rackets;
Subcommittee on Real Estate Contracts and Trust Deeds;
Subcommittee on Right of Privacy;
Subcommittee on Uniform Acts;
Collection Size:
161.5 cubic feet of textual materials, audio/visual materials and photographs.
Repository:
California State Archives
Abstract: The Assembly Judiciary Committee predates California's admission into the Union, to the would-be State's first Constitutional
Convention of 1849, held in San Jose. The series described throughout this record group include Bill Files (1967-2006), Hearing
Files (1849-1995), Subject Files (1931-1996), Correspondence (1953-1988), Minutes (1863-1885), and Reports (1852-1983). The
Assembly Judiciary Committee records also include the records of many subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Administration of
Justice, the Subcommittee on Adoptions, the Subcommittee on Capital Punishment, the Subcommittee on Civil Law and Procedure,
the Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights, the Subcommittee on Criminal Law and Procedure, the Subcommittee on Domestic Relations
and Juvenile Court Matters, the Subcommittee on Emergency Use of Party Telephone Lines, the Subcommittee on Escheat, the Subcommittee
on Illegal Searches, Seizures, and the Laws of Arrest, the Subcommittee on Long Beach Tidelands, the Subcommittee on Marketing
and Trade Practices, the Subcommittee on Narcotics, the Subcommittee on Police Administration, the Subcommittee on Pornographic
Literature, the Subcommittee on Rackets, the Subcommittee on Real Estate Contracts and Trust Deeds, the Subcommittee on Right
of Privacy, and the Subcommittee on Uniform Acts.
Physical Location: California State Archives
Languages: Languages represented in the collection:
English
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
LP166:216 within the Hearing Files series (dated 7/30-31/1973) is restricted under the Legislative Open Records Act, California
Government Code, sec. 9075(k) because it contains records of a legislative investigation.
Publication Rights
For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, as the owner of the physical
items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication
of materials from the California State Archives' collections.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [Name of Committee] Records, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the
Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition Information
The California State Archives received the records of the Assembly Judiciary Committee over a number of years and archives
staff arranged them at various times. While the physical arrangement of the records reflects this variety, this inventory
describes all of the records according to present archival descriptive standards for legislative committee records. Therefore,
the physical arrangement of these records does not necessarily follow the inventory's order.
The researcher should note that the Archives did not receive records for many of the years of the committee's existence.
As the finding aid is meant to be a guide to using the records we do hold, the Committee History and Scope and Content sections
may be incomplete; further research is encouraged.
Committee History
The history of the Assembly Judiciary Committee predates California's admission into the Union, to the would-be State's first
Constitutional Convention of 1849, held in San Jose. On Tuesday, December 18, 1849, the third standing committee of the House
to be created was that of Judiciary (
1849 Senate Journal, page 580). While the exact jurisdiction of this initial body is unclear, the Judiciary Committee seems to have had a broad
legislative scope, including hearings on anything from the organization of district courts to protecting ornamental trees.
While the new legislature set about establishing a new government, California officially became the 31st state of the United
States of America on September 9, 1850. To better understand the various changes in name and scope of this committee, it
may be helpful to summarize the changes in the structure of legislative sessions.
Brief History of Legislative Sessions:
From 1849 to 1862, the state Constitution required that the Legislature meet annually beginning on the first Monday in January.
In 1862, the Constitution was amended so that legislative sessions were now structured to be biennial two-year sessions with
the Legislature meeting on the "first Monday after the first day of December" and length of sessions were limited to 120 days.
During the second Constitutional Convention of 1878-1879, the biennial structure of the Legislature was maintained. However,
representatives were now to meet on the "first Monday after the first day of January in the odd-numbered years," and the 120-day
limit was removed. In 1911, the Constitution was again amended. Representatives would still begin meeting on the same day,
but now they would take a "Constitutional Recess" after a maximum of 30 days and then reconvene after a maximum of 30 days.
This "Bifurcated Session" structure resulted in an "interim" between the first and second parts of the session. In 1946,
the Constitution was amended yet again. Sessions would now be annual and bifurcated, with odd-numbered years being designated
as "General Sessions" and even-numbered years as "Budget Sessions." During Budget Sessions, representatives would meet on
the "first Monday in March to consider the Budget Bill exclusively." Effective in 1967, annual sessions were amended to begin
on the first Monday after the first day in January of each year, with an unlimited time limit, no restriction on the type
of bill considered (i.e. no more Budget Session), and a 30-day minimum recess option. Following the successful passage of
Proposition 4 in 1972 (and continuing today), the biennially structured Legislature now convenes on the "first Monday in December
of the even-numbered year and must adjourn by November 30 of the following even-numbered year." The first session in this
present-day format was that of 1973-1974. (
California Legislature, 1988)
While the records and sources prior to the mid-twentieth century are incomplete, the name and jurisdiction of the Assembly
Standing Committee on Judiciary seems to have changed little in the 160 years of its existence. The Judiciary Committee seems
to have considered both criminal and civil issues through 1936. In 1937, House Resolution 3 created the Committee on Judiciary-
Codes and the Committee on Judiciary-General, with the indication being that one committee dealt exclusively with issues concerning
the codes and a second committee to review all other judicial matters. In 1943, House Resolution 15 combined these committees
and reverted the name back to Judiciary. Probably the most significant modification came in 1959, with House Resolution 24.
This resolution changed the committee name to Judiciary-Civil, reduced the jurisdiction of the committee, and created the
committee on Criminal Procedure. While the name of the committee would be returned to simply Judiciary in 1961 (House Resolution
47), the jurisdiction would remain exclusively in the arena of civil law for the remainder of its history. For example, a
1981 jurisdiction statement includes the topics of adoptions, wage garnishment, liens, product liability, and the Civil, Probate,
and Evidence codes. According to the Assembly Judiciary webpage (as of January 2009), the jurisdiction remains virtually
identical.
When the Legislature was in need of specific information on a judicial topic, it often created an Interim Committee by a House
Resolution. The interim committee was created near the end of each session, though they were not necessarily active during
every interim. The interim committees also had only a limited timeframe within which to operate. Because of this specificity
of purpose, the names of the interim committees associated with the standing committee on Judiciary (or its alternative names)
had much greater variation. The Interim Committee on Judiciary first appears in 1937 (HR 171). In 1943, HR231 created the
Interim Committee on the Judiciary System. The 1945 session saw the creation of the Interim Committee on Judicial and Administrative
Procedure (HR303). In 1947, HR226 created the Interim Committee on the Judicial System and Judicial Process. In the middle
of the 1951 session, HR168 changed the name of the interim committee to Judiciary once again. During the 1959 session, when
the name of the standing committee was changed to Judiciary-Civil, so too was the name of the interim committee. Since HR361
of the 1961 session, the name of the interim committee has remained Judiciary. Beginning in 1971 with HR142, the Standing
Rules of the Assembly has referred to these committees as Investigating, rather than Interim, and since 1973 there has been
no interim recess period. Investigating committees maintain the same jurisdiction and membership as their standing committee
counterparts and are not constrained by any specific timeframe within which to work.
The Select Committee on Administration of Justice was created by HR552 (1968). The committee was appointed the task of studying
the administration of California courts, to determine if revision of the administration was needed, and to consider the "potentially
conflicting constitutional doctrines of freedom of the press and a right to a fair trial."
The researcher should be aware of the somewhat fluid nature of special, select, joint, and subcommittees related to Judiciary.
For example, Judiciary on Administration of Justice appears as a Joint Interim Committee in 1957-1958, as the Subcommittee
of Judiciary on Administration of Justice in 1966 and again from 1985 to 1988, and as the Select Committee on Administration
of Justice between 1968 and 1972. The subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments (1977) was made a standing committee in 1980.
Conversely, the Joint Interim committee on Tidelands in 1947 appears as a subcommittee of Judiciary from 1955-1958 (as Long
Beach Tidelands).
For a complete list of committee chairs, please see Appendix A in Additional Information.
Additional Information
Scope and Content
The records of the Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary contain 161.5 cubic feet cubic feet of textual and audiovisual
material. The records are organized with the records of the Standing Committees first, followed by the alphabetically by
the name of the Select Committee or Subcommittee. The series described throughout this record group include Bill Files (1967-2006),
Hearing Files (1849-1995), Subject Files (1931-1996), Correspondence (1953-1988), Minutes (1863-1885), and Reports (1852-1983).
The Bill Files document the legislative bills directed to the Standing Committee on Judiciary, the Select Committee on the
Administration of Justice, and the Subcommittee on Administration of Justice. The files include committee analysis, letters
from interested parties, and the comments of affected agencies. Some notable legislation considered by the Standing Committee
on Judiciary from 1989 to 2006 includes AB2197 (Klehs, 1989-1990) The Independent Petroleum Marketing Act; AB2937 (Isenberg,
1991-1992) electronic recording of court proceedings; AB90 (Isenberg, 1993-1994) liability of farm operators; AB1080 (Martinez,
1995-1996) The Death with Dignity Act; AB233 (Escutia, 1997-1998) trial court funding; AB1380 (Villaraigosa, 1999-2000) liability
of health care providers;; AB36 (Steinberg, 2001-2002) secrecy settlements; AB17 (Kehoe) and AB205 (Goldberg, 2003-2004) domestic
partners; and AB1307 (Dymally, 2005-2006) child custody. This variety of topics reflects the broad reach and scope of the
Assembly Judiciary Committee.
The Hearing Files pertain to the committee's investigation of certain topics. The files include agendas, transcripts, precedent
and background materials, internal and external correspondence from interested parties, and relevant news clippings. Hearing
files may originate from standing, select, or subcommittees. Some notable standing committee hearing topics from 1849 to
1851 include the public archives, the organization of the courts, promissory notes, authorization of corporations, and immigrants
from penal colonies. Hearing file records are absent for the years 1852-1954. Between 1954 and 1958, hearings would cover
a wide range of topics and were conducted primarily by subcommittees and frequently during the Interim Recess. A sample of
topics includes narcotics, domestic relations, uniform acts, capital punishment, police administration, illegal searches,
escheat, pornography, constitutional rights, and trade practices. During the short lifespan of Judiciary-Civil (1959-1961),
the committee held hearings on topics such as court personnel, the Uniform Securities Act, prepaid service contracts, and
real estate and trust deeds. Between 1961 and 1971, the committee seems to have developed a focus on social issues with hearings
on such topics as teen drinking, divorce rates, bankruptcy, alcoholism, medical malpractice, organ transplants, consumer credit,
environmental abuse, marriage counseling, and family planning. In 1972, the committee began to balance traditionally judicial
topics with social concerns. This pattern continued into 1995, the last year for which the Archives has hearing files. Notable
topics include electronic recordings, right of privacy, paternity litigation, regulation of the State Bar, community property
rights, compensation of judges and other court personnel, cohabitation contracts, attorney's fees, efficiency and organization
of the courts, tenant and landlord rights, child custody and support, surrogacy, law schools, and affirmative action.
The Subject Files contain information on a variety of topics relevant to the committee. The files often include additional
information on an existing bill or hearing file, material related to proposed legislation, or documents related to committee
administration. The files originated from the standing, interim, select, or subcommittee. The researcher should note that,
while the date of creation for this standing committee series is from 1931 to 1996, the approximate dates of record-keeping
are from 1954 to 1999. The earliest subject file (1985) dealt with the Civil Discovery Act of 1986. Some notable topics
from 1991 to 1999 include anti-trust, the Californians for an Independent State Supreme Court campaign, legal assistants,
family law, drug dealer convictions, and trial court funding.
The Correspondence series contains letters and memoranda relevant to the committee. Authors, recipients, subjects, and dates
may vary greatly. The files may originate from the standing, interim, select, or subcommittee. Types of documents include
hearing schedules, pending and proposed legislation, bills referred for study, press releases, and news clippings.
The Reports document the committee's findings on various topics of study referred to them. These files originate only from
the standing committee. The majority of the reports are dated from 1852 to 1874, and deal with such topics as the state census
and moving the Supreme Court from Sacramento to Oakland. The rest of the reports are from 1983 and relate to court reform.
The Minutes document the proceedings of a meeting of the committee on a specific date. As these files are from the earliest
years of the committee's history, they originate only from the standing committee.
The records of the Select Committee on Administration of Justice are dated from 1968-1972 and include bill, hearing, subject,
and correspondence files. The description of these records immediately follows those of the Standing Committee on Judiciary.
The Select Committee on Administration of Justice held hearings on police relations with Mexican-Americans (1972).
The Assembly Judiciary Committee records also include the records of many subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Administration
of Justice, the Subcommittee on Adoptions, the Subcommittee on Capital Punishment, the Subcommittee on Civil Law and Procedure,
the Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights, the Subcommittee on Criminal Law and Procedure, the Subcommittee on Domestic Relations
and Juvenile Court Matters, the Subcommittee on Emergency Use of Party Telephone Lines, the Subcommittee on Escheat, the Subcommittee
on Illegal Searches, Seizures, and the Laws of Arrest, the Subcommittee on Long Beach Tidelands, the Subcommittee on Marketing
and Trade Practices, the Subcommittee on Narcotics, the Subcommittee on Police Administration, the Subcommittee on Pornographic
Literature, the Subcommittee on Rackets, the Subcommittee on Real Estate Contracts and Trust Deeds, the Subcommittee on Right
of Privacy, and the Subcommittee on Uniform Acts. The subcommittee files focus on specific judicial issues and contain material
such as public hearing files, bill files, subject files, and correspondence.
It is anticipated that the Archives will receive further records from the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Researchers should
check the accession binders in the Archives Reference Room for recently received, unprocessed records.
Audio/videotapes from the Bill and Hearing files have been removed to cold storage and separation sheets are included within
the file folders to indicate this.
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Judiciary
Civil law California
Governmental investigations
Related Material
Corbett, Ellen M. - Restricted
Escutia, Martha M. - Restricted
Harris, Elihu M.
Isenberg, Phillip
Kuehl, Sheila J.
Morrow, Bill - Restricted
Senate Judiciary Committee
Steinberg, Darrell S. - Restricted
Microfilm
The following records are available on microfilm at the California State Archives.
Assembly Judiciary Committee, Bill Files, 1967-2000
See scope and content note for LP numbers
Series 1
Bill Files
1967-2006
Physical Description: 2911 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.
Scope and Content
Bill files created by the Assembly Judiciary Committee may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements,
testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information.
Some notable legislation considered from 1989 to 2006 includes AB2197 (Klehs, 1989-1990), The Independent Petroleum Marketing
Act; AB2937 (Isenberg, 1991-1992), electronic recording of court proceedings; AB90 (Isenberg, 1993-1994), liability of farm
operators; AB1080 (Martinez, 1995-1996), the Death with Dignity Act; AB233 (Escutia, 1997-1998), trial court funding; AB1380
(Villaraigosa, 1999-2000), liability of health care providers; AB36 (Steinberg, 2001-2002), secrecy settlements; AB17 (Kehoe)
and AB205 (Goldberg, 2003-2004), domestic partners; and AB1307 (Dymally, 2005-2006), child custody.
All Bill files from 1967 to 2000 are found on microfilm, with subsequent years to be added on an ongoing basis. Audio/videotapes
have been removed to cold storage and separation sheets are included within the file folders to indicate this. Bill files
from a select or subcommittee may be found under the series descriptions for that committee.
Standing Committee on Judiciary Records
1967 AB96-AB2514; ACA13-ACA67 (3ff) LP261:1-3 (mf)
1967 SB44-SB1142 (1ff) LP261:4 (mf)
1968 AB40-AB2011; ACA39 (2ff) LP261:5-6 (mf)
1968 SB19-SB1443; SCA2; SCR2-SCR74 (1ff) LP261:7 (mf)
1969 AB72-AB2323; ACA39-ACA46; ACR34-ACR87 (2ff) LP261:8-9 (mf)
1969 SB21-SB367 (1ff) LP261:10 (mf)
1970 AB33-AB2531; ACA20-ACA48 (2ff) LP261:11-12 (mf)
1970 SB90-SB1403; SCR6-SCR8 (1ff) LP261:13 (mf)
1971 AB81-AB3094; ACA2-ACA79; ACR20 (5ff) LP261:14-18 (mf)
1971 SB1-SB1632; SCR4-SCR32 (2ff) LP261:19-20 (mf)
1972 AB53-AB2370 (10ff) LP166:170-179 (mf)
1972 ACA12-ACA64; AJR17; HR58 (1ff) LP261:21 (mf)
1972 SB38-SB1503; SCR5-SCR6 (3ff) LP261:22-24 (mf)
1973-1974 AB1-AB4479; ACA2-ACA114; ACR33-ACR236; AJR26-AJR27 (30ff) LP154:69-98 (mf)
1973-1974 SB23-SB2436; SCR7 (14ff) LP166:180-193 (mf)
1973-1974 Analyses only: AB1-AB4476; ACA2-ACA114; ACR33-ACR236; AJR26-AJR27 (9ff) LP261:25-33
1975-1976 Analyses only: SB23-SB2436; SCR7 (3ff) LP261:34-36
1975-1976 AB8-AB4502 (27ff) LP255:209-236 (mf)
1975-1976 ACA15-ACA107; ACR17-ACR205; AJR25-AJR47 (1ff) LP273:218 (mf)
1975-1976 SB22-SB2185; SCA14-SCA56 (13ff) LP273:219-231 (mf)
1975-1976 AB1XX-AB33XX; SB1XX-SB7XX (2ff)LP273:232-233 (mf)
1975-1976 Analyses only: AB8-AB4502; ACA14-ACA130; ACR17-ACR205; AJR25-AJR47 (8ff) LP261:37-44
1975-1976 Analyses only: SB9-SB2185; SCA14-SCA65 (4ff) LP261:45-48
1975-1976 Analyses only: AB1XX-AB33XX; LP261:49 SB1XX-SB7XX (1ff)
1977-1978 AB13-AB3782; ACA4-ACA91; ACR4-ACR89 (34ff) LP264:1-34 (mf)
1977-1978 SB26-SB2197; SCA18-SCA65 (18ff) LP264:35-52 (mf)
1979-1980 AB5-AB3480; ACA3-ACA89; ACR5-ACR143 (79ff) LP296:1-79 (mf)
1979-1980 SB9-SB2060; SCA2-SCA37; SCR30 (32ff) LP296:80-111 (mf)
1981-1982 AB27-AB3807; ACA8-ACA87; ACR5-ACR76; AJR2-AJR63 (75ff) LP296:112-186 (mf)
1981-1982 SB35-SB2088; SCA27 (40ff) LP296:187-226 (mf)
1983-1984 AB6-AB4041; ACA49-ACA61; ACR2-ACR146; AJR35-AJR37 (104ff) LP307:1-105 (mf)
1983-1984 SB67-SB2336; SCA29-SCA57; SCR89 (41ff)LP307:106-146 (mf)
1985-1986 AB19-AB4404; ACA35-ACA51; ACR42-ACR93 (118ff) LP307:147-264 (mf)
1985-1986 SB7-SB2570 (62ff) LP307:265-326 (mf)
1987-1988 AB5X-AB9X; AB14-AB4693; ACA3-ACA62; ACR42-ACR71; AJR45 (97ff) LP289:1-97 (mf)
1987-1988 SB1-SB2818; SCA6; SCR12-SCR90; SJR27 (64ff) LP289:97-160 (mf)
1989-1990 AB7-AB4299; ACA48-ACA62; ACR30-ACR65; AJR1-AJR90; AB27X-AB45X (141ff) LP395:1-141 (mf)
1989-1990 SB4-SB2898; SCR11-SCR76; SJR28-SJR70; SB46X (101ff) LP395:142-242 (mf)
1991-1992 AB22-AB3831; ACA10-ACA56; AJR22-AJR98 (126ff) LP395:243-370 (mf)
1991-1992 SB5-SB2057; SCA14-SCA46; SCR4-SCR66; SJR13 (83ff) LP395:371-453 (mf)
1993-1994 AB12-AB3827; ACA46-ACA47; AJR43; AB28X-AB157X; ACA1X; ACR1X (177ff) LP395:454-646 (mf)
1993-1994 SB5-SB2107; SCA3-SCA44; SCR4-SCR34; SB25X-SB56X (84ff) LP395:647-730 (mf)
1995-1996 AB16-AB3471; ACA2-ACA36; ACR14-ACR79; AJR19-AJR54; HR38 (163ff) LP395:731-893 (mf)
1995-1996 SB15-SB2091; SCA4-SCA19; SCR43; SJR24 (89ff) LP395:894-982 (mf)
1997-1998 AB30-AB2806; ACA3-ACA24; AJR26 (135ff) LP395:983-1117 (mf)
1997-1998 SB19-SB2222; SCA2-SCA3; SCR65 (72ff) LP395:1118-1189 (mf)
1999-2000 AB26-AB2935; ACA5-ACA21; ACR17-ACR185; AJR44-AJR72 (159ff) LP395:1190-1348 (mf)
1999-2000 SB19-SB2160 (77ff) LP395:1349-1425 (mf)
2001-2002 AB21-AB3039; ACA1-ACA15; ACR90-ACR231; AJR1-AJR58; AB47X-AB129X; AB13XX-AB51XX (120ff) LP395:1426-1545
2001-2002 SB11-SB2061; SCR13-SCR81; SJR1-SJR3 (66ff) LP395:1546-1611
2003-2004 AB3-AB103; ACR43-ACR252; AJR2-AJR85 (124ff) LP395:1612-1735
2003-2004 SB1-SB1915; SCR4-SCR77 (58ff) LP395:1736-1793
2005-2006 AB12-AB3050; ACA3-ACA22; ACR24-ACR155; AJR3-AJR51 (149ff) LP395:1794-1942
2005-2006 SB10-SB1852; SCA15; SCR15-SCR113; SJR10-SJR11 (59ff) LP395:1943-2001
See Appendix B for LP numbers
Series 2
Hearing Files
1849-1851,
1961-1995
Physical Description: 141 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by hearing date.
Scope and Content
Hearing files created by the Assembly Judiciary and the Judiciary-Civil Standing Committees may include agendas, transcripts,
precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
As mentioned earlier, the records of hearing files for Judiciary range from 1849 to 1851, and 1961 to 1995. Records are absent
from 1852 to 1953, and the hearings from 1959-1960 originate from Judiciary-Civil. Since both are standing committees, they
are both reflected in the chronological appendix.
Some notable hearing topics from 1849 to 1851 include the public archives, the organization of the courts, promissory notes,
authorization of corporations, and immigrants from penal colonies. Between 1954 and 1958, hearings would cover a wide range
of topics. They would also be conducted primarily by subcommittees and frequently during the Interim Recess. A sample of
topics includes narcotics, domestic relations, uniform acts, capital punishment, police administration, illegal searches,
escheat, pornography, constitutional rights, and trade practices. During the short lifespan of Judiciary-Civil (1959-1961),
the committee held hearings on topics such as: court personnel, the Uniform Securities Act, prepaid service contracts, and
real estate and trust deeds. Between 1961 and 1971, the committee seems to have developed a sociological focus with hearings
such as teen drinking, divorce rates, bankruptcy, alcoholism, medical malpractice, organ transplants, consumer credit, environmental
abuse, marriage counseling, and family planning. In 1972, the committee began to balance traditionally judicial topics with
social concerns. This pattern continued into 1995. Notable topics include electronic recordings, right of privacy, paternity
litigation, regulation of the State Bar, community property rights, compensation of judges and other court personnel, cohabitation
contracts, attorneys fees, efficiency and organization of the courts, tenant and landlord rights, child custody and support,
surrogacy, law schools, and affirmative action.
Hearing files from a select or subcommittee may be found under the series descriptions for that committee. Audio/videotapes
have been removed to cold storage and separation sheets are included within the file folders to indicate this.
For a complete list of hearings, see Appendix B in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
LP296:251-260, LP395:2020-2086
Series 3
Subject Files
1985-1999
Physical Description: 77 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content
Subject Files contain information on a variety of topics relevant to the committee. The subjects may be additional information
on an existing bill or hearing file, material related to proposed legislation, or documents related to committee administration.
The files include news clippings, memoranda, legal precedent, reports, and correspondence. The researcher should note that,
while the date of creation for this standing committee series is from 1931 to 1996, the approximate dates of record-keeping
are from 1954 to 1999. The earliest subject file of the standing committee dealt with the Civil Discovery Act of 1986. Some
notable topics from 1991 to 1999 include anti-trust, the Californians for an Independent State Supreme Court campaign, legal
assistants, family law, drug dealer convictions, and trial court funding. Subject files originating from a select or subcommittee
may be found under the series description for that committee.
For an alphabetical list of subject headings, see Appendix C in Additional Series Information.
Additional Series Information
LP36:1-2, LP31:25
Series 4
Correspondence
1953-1957
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content
The correspondence files contain letters and memoranda relevant to the committee such as hearing schedules, pending and proposed
legislation, bills referred for study, press releases, and news clippings. Correspondence from a select or subcommittee may
be found under the series descriptions for that committee.
Interim Correspondence, 1953-1957 (2ff) LP36:1-2
Correspondence, 1955-1956 (1ff) LP31:25
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 5
Reports
1852-1983
Physical Description: 39 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content
The reports document the committee's findings on various topics of study referred to them. These files originate only from
the standing committee. The majority of the reports are dated from 1852 to 1874, and deal with such topics as the state census
and proposed moving of the Supreme Court from Sacramento to Oakland. The rest of the reports are from 1978 to 1983 and relate
to court reform and the State Bar.
Date, Report topic, Identification #
1852, Committee reports and related papers (1ff), LP1:2109
1853,Committee reports and related papers (33ff), LP2:641-673
1856, Report on AB4, AB71, State Census for 1856 (1ff), LP3:364
1874, AB15, removal of Supreme Court from Sacramento to Oakland (1ff), LP6:30
1978-1980, Review of the structure of the State Bar of California; Redistricting of the State Bar - including reports from
the Monterey Committee and the Los Angeles County Bar Association (1ff), LP296:248
2/18/1983, Senate Advisory Coalition on State Court Reform, Alternative Court Structure, Administration and Financing (1ff),
LP296:250
9/1983, "Delay and Congestion in the Los Angeles Superior Court, 1880-1981," by Molly Selvin and Patricia A. Ebener (Rand
research) for the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation (1ff), LP296:249
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 6
Minutes
1863-1885
Physical Description: 5 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content
The meeting minutes document the proceedings of the committee on a specific date. As these files are from the earliest years
of the committee's history, they originate only from the standing committee.
Minutes, 12/17/1863 - 2/26/1864 (1ff) LP17:10
Minutes, 12/14/1875 - 4/3/1876 (1ff) LP43:10
Minutes, 1/13/1883 - 3/7/1883 (1ff) LP17:21
Minutes, 3/25/1884 - 4/26/1884 (1ff) LP7:7B
Minutes, 1/4/1885 - 2/6/1885 (1ff) LP7:7C
Assembly Select Committee on Administrative Justice Records
LP161:249
Series 1
Bill File
1968-1969
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.
Scope and Content
Bill files created by the Select Committee on Administration of Justice may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions,
author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements,
and other information. Assembly Bill 1269 (1968) was considered by the Standing Committee on Criminal Procedure. This bill
deals with the topic of parole and relevant changes to the Penal Code. Assembly Bill 1960 (1969) was considered by the Select
Committee. The bill deals with the topic of financing the criminal justice system, and sought to amend relevant sections
of the Penal Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code. The Select Committee's analysis of both of these bills was likely
part of their general purpose of studying the criminal justice system in California.
LP61:35,47-48
Series 2
Hearing Files
1972
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files created by the Select Committee on Administration of Justice may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and
other background material, internal and external correspondence from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
1/28/1972 Relations Between Police and Mexican-Americans (1ff) LP61:35
4/21/1972, 4/28/1972, Relations Between Police and Mexican-Americans, Los Angeles (2ff), LP61:47-48
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 3
Subject Files
1968-1971
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content
The subject files contain information on a variety of topics relevant to the committee. The subjects may be additional information
on an existing bill or hearing file, material related to proposed legislation, or documents related to committee administration.
The types of documents include: news clippings, memoranda, legal precedent, reports, and correspondence.
California Council on Criminal Justice, 1971 (1ff) LP75:2
Criminal Justice System Study, 1969 (1ff) LP157:8
Parole, 1968-1970 (1ff) LP161:250
LP231:148
Series 4
Correspondence
1970
Physical Description: 9 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content
Correspondence contains letters and memoranda relevant to the committee and includes hearing schedules, pending and proposed
legislation, bills referred for study, press releases, and news clippings.
Assembly Subcommittee on Administration of Justice Records
LP273:131-143
Series 1
Bill Files
1985-1988
Physical Description: 13 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by nill number.
Scope and Content
Bill files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials
and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information.
1985-1986 AB80-AB4400; ACA35-ACA41; ACR42 (3ff) LP273:131-133
1985-1986 SB7-SB2518 (2ff) LP273:134-135
1987-1988 AB29-AB4669; ACA3-ACA33 (5ff) LP273:136-140
1987-1988 SB1-SB2818; SCA6 (3ff) LP273:141-143
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 2
Hearing Files
1966-1988
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Audio/videotapes have been removed to cold storage and separation sheets are included within the file folders to indicate
this.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
08/04-05/1966, Interim Hearing Administrative Procedure Act, San Diego (1ff), LP271:233
09/30/1985, Attorney Discipline Function of the State Bar of California: Investigates the Current Discipline System and Discusses
Ideas to Improve or Restructure it, San Diego (1ff), LP231:147
9/23/1988, State Bar Discipline, Monterey (1ff, 2 audiocassette tapes), LP395:2003
LP273:144-172
Series 3
Correspondence
1985-1988
Physical Description: 29 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by group.
Scope and Content
Correspondence contains letters and memoranda relevant to the committee and includes hearing schedules, pending and proposed
legislation, bills referred for study, press releases, and news clippings.
Assembly Subcommittee on Adoptions Records
LP37:4-7
Series 1
Hearing Files
1961-1962
Physical Description: 4 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
11/01-02/1961, Reduction in Waiting Period for Interlocutory Divorce; Adoption Procedures (2ff), LP37:4-5
Assembly Subcommittee on Capital Punishment Records
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 1
Hearing Files
1956
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
11/13/1956, Administration and Application of California Capital Punishment Laws (3ff), LP49:17, 17a; LP36:2
Assembly Subcommittee on Civil Law and Procedure Records
LP164:36
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
10/06/1954, Mechanics Liens (1ff), LP164:36
Assembly Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights Records
LP20:48
Series 1
Hearing File
1958
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
07/28-29/1958, Legislation Necessary in Areas of Arrest, Search Warrants, and Wire-Tapping (1ff), LP20:48
Assembly Subcommittee on Criminal Law and Procedure Records
LP1164:38
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
11/08/1954, Passing of Bad Checks and State-Wide Standards for Probation and Peace Officers (1ff), LP164:38
Assembly Subcommittee on Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court Matters Records
LP164:39
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
11/22/1954, Filing of Birth Certificates for Adopted Children (1ff), LP164:39
Assembly Subcommittee on Emergency Use of Party Telephone Lines Records
LP36:2
Series 1
Hearing File
1956
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
10/10/1956, Emergency Use of Party Telephone Lines (1ff), LP36:2
Assembly Subcommittee on Escheat Records
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 1
Hearing Files
1958
Physical Description: 4 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
02/20/1958, Escheat (1ff), LP164:42
04/30/1958, The Effect of Escheat Statutes on the Insurance Industry (1ff), LP164:43
06/11/1958, State Recovery of Stocks and Dividends of Individuals Who Cannot be Located (1ff), LP49:22
10/17/1958, Escheat Laws in Relation to Lands Possessed by Banks (1ff), LP164:46
Assembly Subcommittee on Illegal Searches, Seizures, and the Laws of Arrest Records
LP36:3
Series 1
Hearing File
1956
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by hearing date.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
01/11-12/1956, Laws of Arrest; The Exclusionary Rule; Narcotics (1ff), LP36:3
Assembly Subcommittee on Long Beach Tidelands Records
LP49:20-27; LP170:289
Series 1
Hearing Files
1955-1958
Physical Description: 8 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
08/26/1955, Long Beach Tidelands (1ff), LP170:289
01/23/1958, Oil Leasing Practices of the City of Los Angeles (2ff), LP49:20-21
06/23-24/1958, Oil Leasing Practices of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners (3ff), LP49:23-25
07/01/1958, Accounts of Port Disposal Company (1ff), LP49:26
07/03/1958, Oil Leasing Practices of Los Angeles board of Harbor Commission (1ff), LP49:27
LP36:4-28
Series 2
Subject Files
1954-1956
Physical Description: 25 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject headings.
Scope and Content
The subject files contain information on a variety of topics relevant to the committee and include news clippings, memoranda,
legal precedent, reports, and correspondence. The subjects may be additional information on an existing bill or hearing file,
material related to proposed legislation, or documents related to committee administration.
Petroleum Production in the City of Long Beach (including photographs), 1954-1956 (25ff), LP36:4-28
Assembly Subcommittee on Marketing and Trade Practices Records
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 1
Hearing Files
1958
Physical Description: 11 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
11/14/1958, Bookmaking (1ff), LP164:47
11/17-18/1958, Gasoline Price Wars (10ff of textual materials, 16 photographs in 1ff), LP37:11-20
Assembly Subcommittee on Narcotics Records
LP164:37
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
10/14/1954, Review of the State Narcotic Law Changes Covering the Years 1951-1954 (1ff), LP164:37
Assembly Subcommittee on Police Administration Records
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 1
Hearing Files
1957-1958
Physical Description: 3 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
12/17/1957, Sexual Psychopaths; Bilateral Orchiotomy for Individuals Convicted of Sex Crimes (1ff), LP164:41
02/18/1958, Narcotics: Use, Sale, Transportation of, Prevention and Treatment, Means of Enforcement of Narcotics Laws, and
Penalties for Violation thereof, El Centro (1ff), LP115:5
05/27/1958, Effect of Failure of Some Trial Judges to Charge Defendant with a Prior Conviction in Narcotic Cases, Los Angeles
(1ff), LP115:6
Assembly Subcommittee on Pornographic Literature Records
LP164:44
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
05/21-22/1958, AB3849, SB2310, Sale and Distribution of Obscene Literature (1ff), LP164:44
Assembly Subcommittee on Rackets Records
See scope and content note for LP numbers.
Series 1
Hearing Files
1957-1958
Physical Description: 5 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
09/10/1957, Operation of Trade and Correspondence Schools; Fraud and High Pressure Tactics by United Jet Schools, Inc. (2ff),
LP49:18-19
09/18/1958, Furniture Contracts for Los Angeles City Housing Authority, Rubbish Leases (1ff) LP164:45
10/14/1958, Adequacy and Operation of State Criminal Laws and Existence of Organized Crime in California (2ff), LP49:28-29
Assembly (Judiciary-Civil) Subcommittee on Real Estate Contracts and Trust Deeds Records
LP37:22-27
Series 1
Hearing Files
1954
Physical Description: 6 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
3/11/1960, 5/31/1960, 6/20-21/1960, 10/28/1960, Real Estate Brokers' Licensing; Real Property Loan Brokers; Procedures Used
in Sale of Residential Property; Creation, Exchange, and Sale of Second Deeds of Trust on Residential Property (6ff), LP37:22-27
Assembly Subcommittee on Right of Privacy Records
LP166:216,218
Series 1
Hearing Files
1973
Physical Description: 2 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Access Information
One item is restricted from the hearing files. LP166:216 (dated 7/30-31/1973) is restricted under the Legislative Open Records
Act, California Government Code, sec. 9075(k) because it contains records of a legislative investigation.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
07/30-31/1973, Changes of Illegal Wiretapping, Electronic Surveillance and Other Acts of Improper or Illegal Interference
with the Rights of Students, Faculty and Administration of the Los Angeles Community College District (1ff) - Restricted Access,
LP166:216
11/26-27/1973, AB2654, Licensing Standards for Polygraphers, and SB119, Permitting Results of Some Lie Detector Tests into
Evidence in Civil Cases (1ff), LP166:218
Assembly Subcommittee on Uniform Acts Records
LP164:40
Series 1
Hearing File
1954
Physical Description: 1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of hearing.
Scope and Content
Hearing files may include agendas, transcripts, precedent and other background material, internal and external correspondence
from interested parties, and relevant news clippings.
Date, Hearing topic, Identification #
12/09/1954, Hearing on Legislation Proposed for Adoption by the California Commission on Uniform State Laws (1ff), LP164:40
