BILL NUMBER: SB 229	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 2, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 23, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Roth
   (Coauthor: Senator Stone)
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Obernolte)

                        FEBRUARY 13, 2015

   An act  to amend Section 69104 of the Government Code,
  relating to courts, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 229, as amended, Roth. Courts: judgeships. 
   Existing law specifies the number of judges for the superior court
of each county and for each division of each district of the court
of appeal. Existing law provides that the Court of Appeal for the 4th
Appellate District consists of 3 divisions. Existing law requires
that one of these divisions hold its regular sessions in the San
Bernardino/Riverside area and further requires this division to have
7 judges.  
   This bill would increase the number of judges in the division of
the 4th Appellate District of the Court of Appeal located in the San
Bernardino/Riverside area to 8 judges. The bill would appropriate
$1,202,000 from the General Fund to the judicial branch for the
purpose of funding the cost of that new appellate court justice and
accompanying staff. 
   Existing law allocates additional judgeships to the various
counties in accordance with uniform standards for factually
determining additional need in each county, as approved by the
Judicial Council.  Existing law requires the Judicial Council
to report biennially to the Legislature and the Governor on the
factually determined need for new judgeships in each superior court
using that uniform criteria for allocation of judgeships. 
Existing law authorizes 50 additional judges, upon appropriation by
the Legislature, to be allocated to the various county superior
courts, pursuant to uniform criteria approved by the Judicial
Council. 
   This bill would appropriate $14,813,000 from the General Fund to
the judicial branch for the purpose of funding the cost of 10 of
those 50 judgeships and accompanying staff.  
   This bill would appropriate $10,000,000 from the General Fund for
the purpose of funding 6 superior court judge positions in judgeships
currently authorized by the Legislature. The bill would require the
Judicial Council to determine which positions are funded, pursuant to
that uniform criteria. 
   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    The sum of ten million dollars
($10,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund for the
purpose of funding six new superior court judgeships, and
accompanying staff, as authorized pursuant to Section 69614.2 of the
Government Code. The Judicial Council shall determine the allocation
of the funded judgeships pursuant to the uniform criteria described
in subdivision (b) of Section 69614 of the Government Code, as
updated   and approved by the Judicial Council. 

  SECTION 1.    Section 69104 of the Government Code
is amended to read:
   69104.  The Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District
consists of three divisions. One division shall hold its regular
sessions at San Diego and shall have 10 judges. One division shall
hold its regular sessions in the San Bernardino/Riverside area and
shall have eight judges. One division shall hold its regular sessions
in Orange County and shall have eight judges.  
  SEC. 2.    The sum of sixteen million fifteen
thousand dollars ($16,015,000) is hereby appropriated from the
General Fund to the judicial branch for the following purposes:
   (a) The sum of one million two hundred two thousand dollars
($1,202,000) shall be used by the judicial branch to fund the cost of
a new appellate court justice and accompanying staff pursuant to
Section 69104 of the Government Code.
   (b) The sum of fourteen million eight hundred thirteen thousand
dollars ($14,813,000) shall be used by the judicial branch to fund
the cost of 10 of the 50 new judgeships, and accompanying staff,
pursuant to Section 69614.2 of the Government Code.