New Statute Recognizing the Access Commission

July 1, 2023 began a new era for the California Access to Justice Commission with the passage of  a new statute, Government Code Sections 68655-68659.  This authorizing statute recognizes the Access Commission’s work, and with funds appropriated by the legislature authorizes  the Judicial Council to contract with the Commission for that work.

The Access Commission has received state funds  in the past two fiscal years for Infrastructure and Innovation grants to legal services organization. Find more information about Year 1 grantees here and Year 2 grantees here. These grants will continue this year, and in addition we will receive up to $250,000 for the administration of a Loan Repayment Assistance Program for California legal aid lawyers.  (See the story on the LRAP here.) 

The Access Commission remains a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, now with members appointed by state officials with the imprimatur of State law.  They will provide oversight under a provision requiring that a majority of the State officials' appointees participating in the meeting must vote in favor for the proposal to take effect.  The Access Commission’s Governance Committee will recommend changes to the Bylaws at the September 8 Access Commission meeting which will be open to the public, to be held in Los Angeles for those who can attend in person and by Zoom for those who prefer that way to attend.

The California Access to Justice Commission sincerely thanks the California Legislature, the Governor, and many people who worked to bring this about.  It was the specific focus of an ad hoc working group composed of Catherine Blakemore, Judge Tim Dillion  and Judge Lucy Armendariz.