Advisory Committee on Financial Accountability and Efficiency for the Judicial Branch

This committee no longer holds meetings

Previous Meetings

• 2017 Financial Accountability and Efficiency Advisory Committee Meetings
• 2016 Financial Accountability and Efficiency Advisory Committee Meetings
• 2015 Financial Accountability and Efficiency Advisory Committee Meetings
• 2014 Financial Accountability and Efficiency Advisory Committee Meetings

The advisory committee has 7 members. It is comprised of appellate justices, superior court judges, and court executive officers; and reports to the Executive and Planning Committee. Members are appointed by the Chief Justice for terms ranging from one to three-years.

​Download the Committee Roster

• Hon. Kathleen E. O'Leary, Chair, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three
• Mr. Michael D. Planet, Vice-Chair, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
• Hon. Jill C. Fannin, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa
• Hon. Richard D. Huffman, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One
• Ms. Teresa A. Risi, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of California, County of Monterey
• Mr. Michael M. Roddy, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
• Hon. Stephanie Sontag, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

Judicial Council Staff Liaison

• Ms. Amber Barnett, Lead Staff, Principal Manager, Judicial Council and Trial Court Leadership, Judicial Council of California

Created in June 2010 by former Chief Justice Ronald M. George, the purpose of the A&E Committee is to promote transparency, accountability, efficiency, and understanding of the Judicial Council of California (JCC) and the judicial branch.

Committee Charge
The advisory committee is charged with the following responsibilities and making recommendations to the Chief Justice, the Judicial Council, and the Administrative Director:

• Make recommendations each year on any Budget Change Proposals (BCPs) for funding of the JCC prior to submission to the State Department of Finance. Such recommendations would be based upon information in the BCPs and a review of information on budget and staffing levels at the JCC.
• Make recommendations each year on any proposed changes in the annual compensation plan for the JCC. Such recommendations would include a review of compensation adjustments of comparable entities in the judicial branch and in state and local government. The Chief Justice is charged by law with making the final decision.
• Review all audit reports for the Judicial Branch, including appellate courts, trial courts and the JCC, and where appropriate, make recommendations on individual or systemic issues for the Judicial Council’s consideration at the time it receives and considers audit reports.
• Report biennially to the Judicial Council on all JCC contracts for which there is no other external oversight body and that meet established review criteria to ensure such contracts are in support of judicial branch policy as set by the Judicial Council.
• Participate in review of periodic updates and revisions to the Judicial Branch Contracting Manual.
• Make recommendations on any practices that will promote efficiency in the Judicial Branch.
• Make recommendations on any practices that will improve financial accountability in the Judicial Branch.
• Advise on other issues related to the committee charge as requested by the Chief Justice, Judicial Council, or the Administrative Director.