Office of Governmental Affairs

Day on the Bench
The Day-on-the-Bench is a statewide program co-sponsored by the California Judges Association in which legislators will spend approximately a half day visiting a court in the legislator's district. During the visit, the legislator will observe court proceedings, tour court facilities, meet with a host judge and perhaps the presiding judge and court administrator, and discuss issues of mutual concern about the courts and the judiciary.

The program is designed to give legislators a personal understanding of the volume, complexity, and variety of daily duties and responsibilities of a judge, as well as an understanding of the conditions of the court. This experience is intended to impress upon legislators the significant role played by the courts and the justice system, their impact on the daily lives of Californians, and the need for legislative support.

Liaison Program
Related to its advocacy function, the liaison program is the Office of Governmental Affairs' ongoing effort to maintain contact and work cooperatively with groups involved in the judicial system, including the California Judges Association (CJA), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) This is an external link. Click this icon for our external linking policy., the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA This is an external link. Click this icon for our external linking policy.), the State Bar This is an external link. Click this icon for our external linking policy., plaintiffs' and defense bars, and others. Where our positions on issues concur, we form alliances to enhance our advocacy efforts. When our positions on particular issues differ, we negotiate to reach agreement whenever possible. Working with other groups toward achieving common goals has been a longstanding historical component of OGA's work.

Statewide Bench/Bar Coalition
In 1993, under the leadership of the California Association of Local Bars (CALB), a statewide Bench/Bar Coalition (BBC), (Membership Application) was established to enhance communication and coordinate activities between the judicial community and the state, local, and specialty bars on issues of common interest, particularly in the legislative arena. In addition to conference calls and in-person meetings, the BBC meets with legislators at the State Capitol during "Day in Sacramento" activities.

Bench-Bar Coalition event information and meeting materials can be accessed by clicking on the desired item(s) posted below:

For more information regarding the Bench-Bar Coalition, please contact the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts, Office of Governmental Affairs at 916-323-3121.

California Courts Association-Legislative Committee
During the legislative session, the California Courts Association-Legislative Committee (CCA-LC) meets with the staff of the Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs (OGA) to share information and develop positions on legislation. CCA-LC also co-sponsors the annual New Laws Workshops in which information on legislation impacting the courts is shared with court administrators and staff. For more information about the workshops, contact OGA at (916) 323-3121.

Office of Governmental Affairs Advocacy Contacts Fact Sheet (PDF, 68 KB)

Legislative Status Chart  
The Office of Governmental Affairs prepares a chart after each PCLC meeting showing the status of legislation on which the Judicial Council has acted. The chart provides details such as the source of the bill, summary of the bill, and the bill's current status. The bills are listed in numerical order and indexed by subject. This chart is distributed to Judicial Council members and all presiding judges and court administrators.

Legislative Policy Guidelines
The Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs monitors legislative activity and represents the council before the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and executive branch agencies. The summary of council action sets forth concise council policy guidelines regarding court-related legislative proposals. The policy guidelines are organized by topic and further the objectives of the six Judicial Council Strategic Plan goals. The table that follows each policy guideline shows actions taken on legislation that illustrate the policy.

Table of Bills Affecting Appellate Courts
The Office of Governmental Affairs also distributes to all appellate courts a table of bills that affect appellate courts.

The Capitol Connection
The Capitol Connection is a publication of the Judicial Council's Office of Governmental Affairs and is designed to inform judges and court personnel of current events in and around the California Legislature.

If you would like to be sent an e-mail notice when the newsletter is published, please contact OGA at (916) 323-3121 and request to be placed on the Capitol Connection notification list.