Report 2016-137 Recommendation 14 Responses

Report 2016-137: Commission on Judicial Performance: Weaknesses in Its Oversight Have Created Opportunities for Judicial Misconduct to Persist (Release Date: April 2019)

Recommendation #14 To: Commission on Judicial Performance

To maximize the resources available for its core functions, CJP should immediately begin exploring options for relocating its office to a less expensive location and relocate as soon as possible.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From September 2023

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation. CJP's ability to relocate was constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state recently fully paid off the bond that on the building in which CJP's offices are located. Thereafter, CJP's rent decreased by approximately 55%. As CJP's offices are in a state office building, the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord.

Also, the commission has increased its staffing in line with recommendations in the Audit Report and as the result of increased work that resulted from the implementation of other recommendations in the Audit Report (e.g., accepting online complaints). Thus, the commission could not move to office space that is any smaller than the space it now occupies.

In addition, in its Report and Recommendations, dated March 27, 2023, the Committee to Review the Operations and Structure of the Commission on Judicial Performance recommended that CJP "maintain its present San Francisco office." Among other things, the Committee noted, "Whatever savings in rent that may be realized by moving would likely be offset by the significant expense and disruption of relocating and duplicating the security associated with the present state government building that houses CJP. Moreover, the present CJP location could accommodate the expansion of staff that this Committee recommends for CJP." See Committee Report and Recommendations at pp. 29-30.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From April 2023

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation and continues to do so. CJP's ability to relocate was constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state recently fully paid off the bond that on the building in which CJP's offices are located. Thereafter, CJP's rent decreased by approximately 55%. As CJP's offices are in a state office building, the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord.

Also, the commission has increased its staffing in line with recommendations in the Audit Report and as the result of increased work that resulted from the implementation of other recommendations in the Audit Report (e.g., accepting online complaints). Thus, the commission could not move to office space that is any smaller than the space it now occupies.

In addition, in its Report and Recommendations, dated March 27, 2023, the Committee to Review the Operations and Structure of the Commission on Judicial Performance recommended that CJP "maintain its present San Francisco office." Among other things, the Committee noted, "Whatever savings in rent that may be realized by moving would likely be offset by the significant expense and disruption of relocating and duplicating the security associated with the present state government building that houses CJP. Moreover, the present CJP location could accommodate the expansion of staff that this Committee recommends for CJP." See Committee Report and Recommendations at pp. 29-30.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2022

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation and continues to do so. CJP's ability to relocate is constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. CJP notes that its current office is in a state office building and the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord. Also, the commission has increased its staffing in line with recommendations in the Audit Report and as the result of increased work that resulted from the implementation of other recommendations in the Audit Report (e.g., accepting online complaints). As a result, the commission would not be able to move to office space that is any smaller than the space it now occupies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

This recommendation is pending CJP relocating to a new office space. We updated our analysis to take into consideration the additional staff CJP is authorized to hire and found that, based on state space allowance standards, it should still move into a significantly smaller office space.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From April 2022

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation and continues to do so. CJP has not located a suitable alternate office space, available in a state building. CJP's ability to relocate is constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the COVID-19 pandemic. CJP notes that its current office is in a state office building and the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord. Also, the commission has increased its staffing in line with recommendations in the Audit Report and as the result of increased work that resulted from the implementation of other recommendations in the Audit Report (e.g., accepting online complaints). The commission would not be able to move to office space that is significantly smaller than the space it now occupies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

This recommendation is pending CJP relocating to a new office space. We updated our analysis to take into consideration the additional staff CJP is authorized to hire and found that, based on state space allowance standards, it should still move into a significantly smaller office space.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2021

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation and continues to do so. CJP's ability to relocate is constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. CJP notes that its current office is in a state office building and the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord. Also, the commission has increased its staffing in line with recommendations in the Audit Report and as the result of increased work that resulted from the implementation of other recommendations in the Audit Report (e.g., accepting online complaints). As a result, the commission would not be able to move to office space that is any smaller than the space it now occupies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

This recommendation is pending CJP relocating to a new office space. We updated our analysis to take into consideration the additional staff CJP is authorized to hire and found that, based on state space allowance standards, it should still move into a significantly smaller office space.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From April 2021

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation and continues to do so. CJP's ability to relocate is constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. CJP notes that its current office is in a state office building and the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2020

CJP began to explore options to relocate its office immediately after the Auditor's office made this recommendation, and continues to do so. CJP's ability to relocate is constrained by requirements in the Government Code, the cost of relocating to another office, the availability of space in alternate state office buildings, and the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. CJP notes that its current office is in a state office building and the money that it expends on rent is returned to the state, as its landlord.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

1-Year Agency Response

CJP continues to explore such options, as recommended. CJP will continue with such efforts.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

CJP continues to explore such options, as recommended. CJP will continue with such efforts.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

The commission has begun exploring such options, as recommended. The commission will continue with such efforts.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2016-137

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.