BILL ANALYSIS Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair 1906 (Cook) Hearing Date: 06/28/2010 Amended: 04/06/2010 Consultant: Jacqueline Wong-HernandezPolicy Vote: Judiciary 5-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 1906 would authorize the presiding judge of San Bernardino County Superior Court, or the judge appointed by the presiding judge to supervise the grand jury, to impanel an additional civil grand jury, as specified. This bill provides that the additional civil grand jury may inquire into matters of oversight, conduct investigations, issue reports, and make recommendations, but shall not have jurisdiction to issue indictments. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund Grand jury authorization Potentially significant; non-reimbursable costs Local _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: This bill authorizes the presiding judge of the San Bernardino County Superior Court or the judge appointed by the presiding judge to supervise the grand jury, to impanel an additional civil grand jury in the county. As provided in this bill, the additional civil grand jury would inquire into matters of oversight, conduct investigations, issue reports, and make recommendations, but would not have jurisdiction to issue indictments. The provisions of this bill are permissive, and do not constitute a state mandate on the County of San Bernardino. Impaneling grand juries, and their related costs, are a county responsibility unless otherwise provided for in statute. All costs incurred by impaneling an additional, optional civil grand jury will be borne by San Bernardino County.