California Law Revision Commission

Agency History

The California Law Revision Commission was created in 1953 (Statutes 1953, Ch. 1445) as a successor to the California Code Commission (1929-53).

The Commission consists of one member of the Senate appointed by the Committee on Rules, one member of the Assembly appointed by the Speaker, and seven additional members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Legislative Counsel is an ex-officio member.

The primary duty of the Commission is to examine common laws and statutes of the state and judicial decisions in order to discover defects and anachronisms in the law and to recommend needed reforms. In the performance of its mandate, the Commission receives and considers suggestions from various sources, including the American Law Institute, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, bar associations, judges, lawyers, public officials, and the general public.

The scope of Commission studies is limited to subjects approved by the Legislature. At each regular session of the Legislature, the Commission files a report which contains a calendar of topics selected by it for study, including a list of studies in progress and a list intended for future consideration. The Commission may also study any topic referred to it directly by the Legislature.

Within these limitations, the Commission may propose legislation to effect suggested revisions, will recommend repeal of all statutes held unconstitutional by either the State Supreme Court or the Supreme Court of the United States, and may enter into contracts with educational and research institutions, schools of law, and qualified individuals for research purposes.

The Commission reports yearly on its work to the Governor and the Legislature.

From the guide to the California Law Revision Commission Records, (California State Archives)