(a) This section shall become operative only if the Department of Consumer Affairs determines that sufficient private or public funds are available in addition to the funds available in the department’s current budget to cover the costs of implementing this section.
(b) There shall be established an advisory committee, constituted as set forth in this section, to study small claims practice and procedure, with particular attention given to the improvement of procedures for the enforcement of judgments.
(c) The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
(d) The advisory committee shall be composed as follows:
(1) The Attorney General or a representative.
(2) Two consumer representatives from consumer groups or agencies, appointed by the Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency.
(3) One representative appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one representative appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.
(4) Two representatives appointed by the Board of Governors of the State Bar.
(5) Two representatives of the business community, appointed by the Secretary of Technology, Trade, and Commerce.
(6) Six judicial officers who have extensive experience presiding in small claims court, appointed by the Judicial Council. Judicial officers appointed under this subdivision may include judicial officers of the superior court, judges of the appellate courts, retired judicial officers, and temporary judges.
(7) One representative appointed by the Governor.
(8) Two clerks of the court appointed by the Judicial Council.
(e) Staff assistance to the advisory committee shall be provided by the Department of Consumer Affairs, with the assistance of the Judicial Council, as needed.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 32. Effective January 1, 2003. Implementation is subject to condition in subd. (a).)
Last modified: October 25, 2018