Article VII: Committees

Section 7.1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Association. Meetings and other actions of the Executive Committee shall be governed by provisions of these bylaws applicable to meetings and actions of the Board. Minutes shall be kept of each Executive Committee meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the power of approval of all Delegation appointments made by the Chair of the Delegation. The Board may delegate to the Executive Committee by resolution any power except that the Executive Committee may not:

1. Take any final action on matters which, under the California Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law also require member approval or approval of a majority of all the members.
2. Fill vacancies on the Board or on any committee that exercises the authority of the Board.
3. Fix compensation of the Board members serving on the Board or on any committee.
4. Amend or repeal bylaws or adopt new bylaws.
5. Amend or repeal any resolution of the Board, which, by its express terms, is not so amendable or repealable.
6. Appoint committees of the Board or the members thereof.
7. Expend corporate funds to support a nominee for Board member after there are more people nominated for Board membership than can be elected.
8. Approve any transaction:
   1. To which the Association is a party and one or more Board members have a material financial interest; or
   2. Between the Association and one or more of its Board members, or between the Association or any entity in which one or more of its Board members have a material financial interest.

Section 7.2. Judiciary Committee

Section 7.2.A. Composition

1. The President, subject to the advice and consent of a majority of the entire Board, shall appoint a Judiciary Committee, consisting of nine active members of the Association, one of whom shall be a member of the Barristers Club of Sacramento at the time of his/her appointment. In addition, the president and first vice-president of the Association (or their designees) shall be voting members of the Committee.
2. Each appointed member of the Committee shall serve for a term of three years, with the terms of one third of those members expiring each year.
3. No member of the Association shall be eligible for appointment to the Committee nor remain eligible to serve as a member to the Committee while actively seeking appointment to any of the offices that will be evaluated by the Committee.

Section 7.2.B. Responsibility of the Committee

1. Upon request of the appointing authority, the potential candidate or the Board, the Judiciary Committee shall evaluate the qualifications of candidates who seek appointment to the various judicial positions that pertain to or impact Sacramento County. The Committee may evaluate the qualifications of candidates for other positions connected with the administration of justice in Sacramento.
2. The Committee shall confer with such individuals, groups, or organizations as it may deem appropriate in the preparation of a full, fair and complete evaluation of an applicant's qualifications.
3. All phases of the Committee's activity are absolutely confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone other than another Committee member or an authorized representative of the Governor's office. Communications between the Committee and any authorized representative of the Governor's office shall be absolutely privileged and confidential, and shall not be discoverable in any judicial or administrative proceeding.
4. The Committee shall comply with the rules, policies and procedures approved by a majority of the Board.

Section 7.2.C. Plebiscites

The Committee may with the consent of the Board ascertain by plebiscite the opinion of the Active members of the Association in regard to candidates for contested primary and general elections to the Superior Court of Sacramento County.

Section 7.3 Lawyer Referral and Information Service

Section 7.3.A. Composition of the Committee

The president, subject to the advice and consent of a majority of the entire Board, shall appoint a Lawyer Referral and Information Service Committee which shall consist of no more than nine active members, at least five of whom shall be non panel members. Committee members shall be appointed for a term of three years. The president or his/her designee shall be ex-officio members of the Committee.

Section 7.3.B. Responsibilities of the Committee

Subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California, the Committee shall operate the Service and shall adopt an organizational structure and policies necessary for the operation of the Service, subject to the approval of the Board.

Section 7.3.C. Budget, Fees and Accounting

No later than the November Board meeting each year, the Committee shall submit to the Board for its approval, its proposed budget and fee schedule for the ensuing fiscal year. Any amendments to the budget or fee schedule shall not be effective until approved by the Board. Before May 31st of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Board a written report and accounting of the operations of the Service for the past fiscal year.

Section 7.4. Other Committees

The Board may create such other standing or ad hoc committees as are determined to be appropriate. Appointments, terms of service, number of members, vacancies and committee leadership shall be governed by policies and procedures adopted by the Board.

Section 7.5 Delegation

The Association will maintain a delegation to the Conference of Delegates at the State Bar Annual Meeting. The President of the Association shall appoint the Chair of the Delegation for a three-year term. The Executive Committee of the Association shall have the power of approval of all Delegation appointments made by the Chair. All delegation members shall be members of the Association. The Delegation activities shall be pursuant to the Association Delegation Policies and Procedures, as from time to time amended.

Section 7.6 IDP Committee

The President with the consent and advice of the Board shall appoint an IDP Committee comprising a chair and no less than eight and no more than twelve members. Committee members shall serve for three years. Committee procedures and operations shall be governed by the policies and procedures of the committee.

Section 7.7 IDAC Committee

The President, with the consent and advice of the Board shall appoint an Indigent Defense Appellate Committee (IDAC). The President, with consent and advice of the Board, shall appoint a chair of the IDAC committee, as selected by the committee by a majority vote of its members.

Section 7.7.A. A Composition of the Committee

IDAC will be composed of the chair of the Indigent Defense Panel Committee; the Public Defender or his/her designee; a representative from Countywide Services Agency as designated by the President of the SCBA; a member in good standing of the Indigent Defense Panel as designated by the Chair of the Indigent Defense Panel Committee; a member in good standing of the Indigent Defense Panel elected by its members in good standing; and the President of the SCBA.

Section 7.7.B. Purpose of IDAC

The purpose of this committee shall be to serve as the final appellate body regarding attorney classification, panel membership, claim reductions and fee disputes. Its function shall be to serve as the final appellate body for appeals regarding claim reductions, and SCBA Indigent Defense Panel Peer Review and Qualifications subcommittee actions. Committee members shall serve for three years, and may be removed by the President with the consent and advice of the. Board. Committee procedures and operations shall be governed by the policies and procedures of the committee.