Report 2015-030 Recommendation 13 Responses
Report 2015-030: State Bar of California: It Has Not Consistently Protected the Public Through Its Attorney Discipline Process and Lacks Accountability (Release Date: June 2015)
Recommendation #13 To: Bar of California, State
To justify any future special assessment that the State Bar wants to add to the annual membership fee, the State Bar should first present the Legislature with the planned uses for those funds and cost estimates for the project for which the State Bar intends to use the special assessment.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2016
On May 13, 2016, in compliance with Business and Professions Code 6140.16, the State Bar submitted a Spending Plan to the Legislature. The Spending Plan includes a thorough analysis of the Bar's priorities and necessary operating costs. The Plan also provides details on the Bar's fund balances to determine a reasonable amount for the annual membership fee. Finally, the Plan calculates the additional amount of funding needed to reduce the backlog in the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel and implement the Bar's workforce plan. The Spending Plan is available on the State Bar's web site at:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=0c49c3RnO_U%3d&tabid=224&mid=1534
- Completion Date: May 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
In the event that the State Bar seeks a special assessment in the future, the planned use of the funds, and cost estimates for the related project/s will be provided to the Legislature. Staff will bring a policy to the Board to that effect at its July meeting.
- Estimated Completion Date: August 1, 2016
- Response Date: June 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending
6-Month Agency Response
In the event that the State Bar seeks a special assessment in the future, the planned use of the funds, and cost estimates for the related project/s will be provided to the Legislature.
- Completion Date: December 2015
- Response Date: December 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
60-Day Agency Response
The State Bar agrees with this recommendation. But, at the moment, the State Bar is not seeking any new special assessments to which this would apply. Thus, we are unable to take the action recommended at this time. The State Bar will conform to this in the event that it seeks a special assessment in the future. However, the State Bar will add a requirement to its budget control policy.
- Estimated Completion Date: 11/20/2015
- Response Date: August 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2015-030
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.