Report 2015-047 Recommendation 21 Responses

Report 2015-047: The State Bar of California: Its Lack of Transparency Has Undermined Its Communications With Decision Makers and Stakeholders (Release Date: May 2016)

Recommendation #21 To: Bar of California, State

To ensure that it retains appropriate supervision and control over the State Bar's financial affairs, the board should establish a policy that includes requirements that the State Bar develop policies and procedures to prevent the mingling of its funds and any nonprofit organization's funds.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From March 2018

The 2018 State Bar Fee bill (SB 36, Stats. 2017, ch. 422) included an amendment to Business and Professions Code Section 6001, adding the following language: "However, as of March 31, 2018, the State Bar shall not create any foundations or nonprofit corporations."

This amendment became effective on January 1, 2018. Since the State Bar is prohibited from creating any nonprofit organizations, this recommendation is no longer applicable to the ongoing operations of the State Bar.

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

Since state law was changed to prohibit the State Bar from creating foundations or nonprofit corporations, this recommendation is no longer applicable.


Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2017

The 2018 fee bill directs the Bar to establish a non-profit entity to support the transition of the State Bar Sections to a standalone entity. A policy establishing eliminating the Bar's ability to establish such entities will be established once the transition of the Sections is complete.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: No Action Taken


1-Year Agency Response

Since submission of the last Update, the Bar was advised by Legislative staff that it should maintain its ability to establish non-profit entities pending the transition of the State Bar Sections to a standalone entity. Anticipating that the Bar will not retain this ability in perpetuity, the Bar has not acted to establish policies.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: No Action Taken


6-Month Agency Response

The Board intends to adopt a policy eliminating its ability to establish nonprofits at an upcoming meeting.

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


60-Day Agency Response

The 2017 fee bill includes provisions which eliminate the State Bar's ability to establish nonprofits, rendering this recommendation moot. Should these provisions not ultimately be adopted, the State Bar will revisit this recommendation.

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


All Recommendations in 2015-047

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.