People's Advocate, Inc. v. Superior Court

At the June 5, 1984, election the people adopted a statutory initiative measure entitled the “Legislative Reform Act of 1983” (the Act). The “First” part of the Act repeals various Government Code sections; the “Second” part adds chapter 8, part 1, division 2 (§§ 9900-9937) to the Government Code. This latter part makes sweeping changes in the organization and operation of the Assembly and Senate and limits the content of future legislation which appropriates money for their operations. Petitioners, People’s Advocate, Inc. and five California taxpayers, filed suit in the Sacramento Superior Court against the real parties in interest, the California Legislature, the Senate and Assembly of the State of California and their individual and joint rules committees. The suit sought a declaration that the Act was valid and an order compelling compliance with its terms.

The real parties moved for judgment on the pleadings, challenging the provisions of the Act which regulate the internal rules, the selection of officers and employees, the selection and powers of committees of the houses of the Legislature and which limit prospectively the content of budget legislation as…