Judicial Council advisory bodies

(a) Types of bodies

Judicial Council advisory bodies are typically advisory committees and task forces.

(b) Functions

The advisory bodies:

(1) Use the individual and collective experience, opinions, and wisdom of their members to provide policy recommendations and advice to the council on topics the Chief Justice or the council specifies;

(2) Work at the same policy level as the council, developing recommendations that focus on strategic goals and long-term impacts that align with judicial branch goals;

(3) Generally do not implement policy. The council may, however, assign policy-implementation and programmatic responsibilities to an advisory body and may request it make recommendations to the Administrative Director on implementation of council policy or programs;

(4) Do not speak or act for the council except when formally given such authority for specific and time-limited purposes; and

(5) Are responsible, through Judicial Council staff, for gathering stakeholder perspectives on policy recommendations they plan to present to the council.

(c) Subcommittees

With the approval of the internal committee with oversight responsibility for the advisory body, an advisory body may form subcommittees, composed entirely of members, to carry out the body's duties, subject to available resources.

(d) Oversight

The Chief Justice assigns oversight of each council advisory body to an internal committee. The council gives a general charge to each advisory body specifying the body's subject matter jurisdiction. The council and its internal committees provide direction to the advisory bodies.

(e) Preference for using existing advisory committees

Unless substantial reasons dictate otherwise, new projects requiring committee involvement must be assigned to existing advisory committees.

(f) Role of the Administrative Director

The Administrative Director sits as an ex officio member of each advisory body.

(g) Creation

In addition to the advisory committees established by the rules in this division, the Chief Justice may create additional advisory bodies by order.