Bill to Allow State to Pay for Courts Goes to Governor

SACRAMENTO —  A bill that would give California counties the option of having the state pay all costs of operating Superior and Municipal courts was approved by the Legislature Thursday and sent to Gov. George Deukmejian.

Deukmejian vetoed similar legislation last year on the grounds that the method of financing courts should not change until the Legislature first passes “needed reforms that will improve the access, efficiency and effectiveness of the trial court system.”

The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Robinson (D-Garden Grove), would require that counties opting for state financing of local courts turn over to the state all fines and forfeitures collected from the courts.

In addition, participating counties would have to drop lawsuits filed against the state for court-related claims.

Estimated Cost

If all 58 counties in California were to participate, the state’s cost would be $341 million annually. Legislative opponents have voiced concern about the potential costs.

But supporters, including Robinson, said that if all counties participated, $1 billion in legal claims against the state would be dropped.

The Department of Finance has opposed the bill because of its “inordinate cost,” according to Richard Ray, legislative liaison for the department.

Kevin Brett, Deukmejian’s deputy press secretary, said the governor has taken no position on the bill. Brett said it is not a “foregone conclusion” that Deukmejian will follow the Finance Department’s recommendation to veto the measure.

Robinson amended the bill earlier this week to authorize 38 new Superior Court judges, including three for Orange County.

He also used the legislation to settle an old feud with the Orange County Board of Supervisors over use of the old county courthouse. As amended, the bill prohibits Orange County from using the old courthouse for any court other than the state Court of Appeal.

Robinson had said that county Supervisor Roger Stanton was attempting to have the courthouse also used by Municipal Court judges and for other purposes.