Article 1. General Provisions of California Government Code >> Title 8. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 1.

As used in this chapter, "commission" means the Commission on Judicial Performance provided for in Section 8 of Article VI of the Constitution, "masters" means special masters appointed by the Supreme Court pursuant to rules adopted by the Judicial Council, and "judge" means a judge who is the subject of an investigation or proceeding under Section 18 of Article VI of the Constitution.

Notwithstanding Section 68701, the Commission on Judicial Performance may investigate the conduct or performance of any retired judge serving on senior judge status pursuant to rules adopted by the Judicial Council. The commission also shall have the power to order a retired judge's senior judge status terminated for incapacity or any failure to carry out the duties of the office, but in no instance shall the salary together with any Judges' Retirement Law allowance paid for service or disability in any year exceed 100 percent of the current salary of the judge's office from which he or she retired.

The commission may employ such officers, assistants, and other employees as it deems necessary for the performance of the duties and exercise of the powers conferred upon the commission and upon the masters, may arrange for and compensate medical and other experts and reporters, may arrange for attendance of witnesses, including witnesses not subject to subpena, and may pay from funds available to it all expenses reasonably necessary for effectuating the purposes of Section 8 and Section 18 of Article VI of the Constitution, whether or not specifically enumerated herein. The Attorney General shall, if requested by the commission, act as its counsel generally or in any particular investigation or proceeding. The commission may employ special counsel from time to time when it deems such employment necessary.

Each member of the commission and each master shall be allowed his necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of his duties.

No act of the commission shall be valid unless concurred in by a majority of its members. The commission shall select one of its members to serve as chairman.