The California Judicial Council, governing body of the state court system, has shown itself reluctant to adopt a proposed rule that would open meetings of its standing and other advisory committees—where most court policy development takes place—to public phone monitoring or attendance. The Council was asked by the Legislature to report progress toward such a rule on January 1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office encouraged the Council to take the initiative when Governor Brown this fall vetoed a budget rider that would have required open advisory meetings. But, as reported by Maria Dinzeo for Courthouse News Service and lamented by the Alliance of California Judges, the Council was cool toward the recommended access rules outlined in the when it met last Thursday in San Francisco. Californians Aware commented on the first draft of the proposed rules in November but expressed encouragement that they were even being considered.
