Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the committee of bar examiners to be responsible for the approval of uncredited law schools that offer a juris doctor degree in California.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Committee of Bar Examiners responsible for the approval, regulation, and oversight of degree-granting unaccredited law schools that award the juris doctor (J.D.) degree and that are not approved by the American Bar Association or examining committee (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that Judicial review of a decision to approve or deny an application for reimbursement from the Client Security Fund may be made by filing a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, and would declare that this provision is declaratory of existing law (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board, until January 1, 2026, to fix the annual license fee for active licensees for 2025 at a sum not exceeding $400 and to fix the annual license fee for inactive licensees for 2025 at a sum not exceeding $100 (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the date set for payment of the annual license fee for active licensees to be not less than 12 months from the prior year’s due date, and would require individuals who qualified for a specified waiver to pay the fee on an installment basis (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text