February 11, 2000
Dear Attorney General Lockyer:
Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005, we have reviewed the proposed initiative related to a private individual investigating court case files of insanity actions in Santa Barbara County (File No. SA 2000 RF 0002).
Proposal. This measure would require the state to make available funds to the "voter approved private individual" investigating and documenting court case files of "insanity actions" in Santa Barbara County. The measure specifies that the state shall make available a superior court judge, courtroom, and video and sound recording equipment to take testimony of "official custodians of records and others" who have knowledge of records relating to "early court cases of insanity actions."
The measure requires that videotaped documentation of the investigation be aired on county government public access television, as specified in the measure.
Fiscal Effect. The fiscal effect on the state and local governments of this measure is unknown.