California Commission on Uniform State Laws
State Capitol, Room 3021
Sacramento, California 95814
916/341-8005
916/341-8020 facsimile
Meeting of the California Commission on Uniform State Laws
Date: December 7, 2006
Time:9:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Office of Legislative Counsel Bion M. Gregory Conference Room
925 L Street, Lower Level
Sacramento, California 95814
Final Agenda
1. 2007 NCCUSL Annual Meeting
2. Legislative program for the first half of the 2007-2008 Legislative Session
3. Other items
Minutes
Meeting of the California Commission on Uniform State Laws
December 7, 2006 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Attendees: Cynthia Bosco; Diane Boyer-Vine; Robert Cornell; Patrick DeBlase; Ann Park; Sandy Rae; Nat Sterling; Elizabeth Cotton-Murphy, NCCUSL Chief Administrative Officer; John McCabe, NCCUSL Legislative Director; Michael Kerr, NCCUSL Deputy Legislative Director; Katie Robinson, NCCUSL Communications Officer; Michelle Clayton, NCCUSL Legislative Counsel; Liz Cunneen, NCCUSL Accountant; Tom Bolt, NCCUSL Division Chair; and Susan Ballew, note taker.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
Diane Boyer-Vine noted that a quorum was not present when the meeting was called to order, so the meeting would serve as information-gathering only. Cynthia Bosco and Sandy Rae joined the meeting in progress and established a quorum.
1. 2007 NCCUSL Annual Meeting
Since Marcia Sterling was not in attendance, Nat Sterling accepted the California Commissioners’ reports and forwarded the information to Marcia.
Commissioners reported on progress they have made soliciting donations from the individuals, law firms, and businesses to which they were assigned. Contacts have been made, but there have been few firm commitments. Two of the organizations that have agreed to donate want to talk about sponsorship of events. Elizabeth Cotton-Murphy pointed out that, since events are still being planned, specific event sponsorships must wait.
The California Office of Legislative Counsel has agreed to help with photocopy costs.
It was pointed out that donations can be made either to the Uniform Law Foundation or the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. Donations to either one are tax deductible.
It was reported that Marcia Sterling will focus more closely on annual meeting fundraising after January 1.
The NCCUSL Executive Committee is scheduled to take place the first weekend of February. The California Commission will provide a report to the Executive Committee on fundraising progress.
2. Legislative program for the first half of the 2007-2008 Legislative Session
Diane Boyer-Vine reported that Assembly Member Patty Berg introduced the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act (Assembly Bill No. 64). Diane also reported that the California State Bar has responded favorably to the introduction. Mike Kerr has meet with the media and anticipates additional newspaper articles about the act. It was suggested that there be a CCUSL spokesperson which can provide the media with quotes for the newspaper articles. Bob Cornell volunteered to do so.
Mike Kerr told the California Commissioners that he would like the Uniform Athlete-Agents Act introduced again. Since the act has already been vetoed twice by the Governor, it was suggested that someone check with the Schwarzenegger administration to determine its support or opposition. Diane Boyer-Vine volunteered to speak with someone in the Governor’s office. Diane will ask Gene Wong, consultant for the Senate Judiciary Committee, for his ideas on a sponsor for the bill if the Commission decides to introduce it.
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act was also proposed as a possible introduction.
When the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act was introduced 2005, there was tremendous opposition from the Los Angeles County attorneys. It was recommended that this act not be re-introduced.
The Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act and the Uniform Foreign Country Money Judgments Recognition Act were also discussed as potential introductions. Bob Cornell volunteered to prepare a comparison of the current version and the revised version of the Uniform Foreign Country Money Judgments Recognition Act.
Because many of the Commissioners are not familiar with the legislative process of introducing bills and moving them through the two houses, it was suggested that Byron Sher may be willing to work with Commissioners and “tutor” them on various aspects of the legislative process. Cynthia Bosco and Patrick DeBlase volunteered to work with Byron Sher.
3. Other items
It was decided that Commissioners can have the option to participate by teleconference at the next CCUSL meeting.
Diane Boyer-Vine will discuss Assembly and Senate appointments to CCUSL with Byron Sher.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Ballew