Why Is the UC Hastings Renaming Bill an Interesting Bill Study?

In reviewing Assembly Bill 1936, authored by Assemblyman James Ramos (D-San Bernardino), University of California: Hastings College of the Law, now Chapter 478 of the Statutes of 2022, there are some interesting provisions to this bill.

First, because of the general constitutional autonomy of the University of California, the Legislature actually has to ask the Board of Directors of the law school to rename it.

Second, the bill amends numerous statutes, including those in the Code of Civil Procedure, Education Code, Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Penal Code.

Third, in Section 1 of the bill, in uncodified language, there are 21 legislative findings and declarations.

Fourth, in Section 2 of the bill, in uncodified language, there are 21 statements of intent by the Legislature “to ensure that the College achieves of the following” directives.

Fifth, in Section 19 of the bill, basically an all-new Education Code Section 92200 in added under Article 1 – now entitled “A Law College Affiliated with the University of California” – of Chapter 3 of Part 57 of Division 9 of Title 3 of the Education Code.

In newly-amended Education Code Section 92200 we find the law school’s new designation, and the request of the Legislature to the Board of Directors of the law school to consult with the Round Valley Indian Tribes about the name change and that the law school vote on the replacement name, and that the recommendation on the name change is made to the Legislature.

Sixth, also in Education Code Section 92200, there are five requests of the Legislature to the law school’s board of Directors for the board to adopt.