-- Last revised 7/31/07 --

History and Purpose

    The California Law Revision Commission was created in 1953 as the permanent successor to the Code Commission and given responsibility for the continuing substantive review of California statutory and decisional law. The Commission studies the law in order to discover defects and anachronisms and recommends legislation to make needed reforms. (See the Commission's governing statute.)

    The Commission assists the Legislature in keeping the law up to date by:

• Intensively studying complex and sometimes controversial subjects
• Identifying major policy questions for legislative attention
• Gathering the views of interested persons and organizations
• Drafting recommended legislation for legislative consideration

    The Commission's efforts enable the Legislature to focus on significant policy questions in a recommendation rather than on the technical issues which can be resolved in the process of preparing background studies, working out intricate legal problems, and drafting implementing legislation. The Commission thus helps the Legislature accomplish needed reforms that otherwise might not be made because of the heavy demands on legislative time. In some cases, the Commission's report demonstrates that no new legislation on a particular topic is needed, thus relieving the Legislature of the need to study the topic.

    The Commission consists of:

• A Member of the Senate appointed by the Rules Committee
• A Member of the Assembly appointed by the Speaker
• Seven members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
• The Legislative Counsel, who is an ex officio member

    The Commission may study only topics that the Legislature has authorized. The Commission now has a calendar of 22 topics.

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Commission Procedure

Commission Meetings

    The Commission holds public meetings several times a year. The time and location of meetings are announced in advance and members of the public are encouraged to attend. See the current agenda for the time and location of the Commission's next meeting. The agenda also indicates what subjects will be considered at the meeting, and provides links to download related materials.

Background Studies

    The Commission's work on a study often begins with the preparation of a background study. The background study may be prepared by a member of the Commission's staff or by a specialist in the field who is retained as a consultant. From time to time, expert consultants are also retained to advise the Commission at meetings.

Staff Memoranda

    As a study progresses, the Commission's staff will prepare various memoranda for the Commission's consideration. These memoranda may include: discussion of issues, results of staff research, analysis of public comments, and draft legislation. Staff memoranda typically serve as a starting point for Commission deliberations.

Tentative Recommendation

    After making its preliminary decisions on a subject, the Commission ordinarily distributes a tentative recommendation to interested persons and organizations, including the State Bar, local and specialized bar associations, public interest organizations, and business and professional associations. Notice of the availability of the tentative recommendation is mailed to interested persons on the Commission's mailing list and publicized in legal newspapers and other relevant publications.

Final Recommendation

    After considering any comments on its tentative recommendation, the Commission will determine what recommendation, if any, it will make to the Legislature. When the Commission has reached a conclusion on the matter, its recommendation to the Legislature (including a draft of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendation) is published and distributed in printed form and electronically on the Commission's website.