reserved powers doctrine (California) · Go Syfert
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reserved powers doctrine in California

5 California opinions name it 2 courts 1997–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by California courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (4)

CaseFollowedCited
United States v. Winstar Corp.green
scotus · 1996 · cited in 2 California opinions naming this issue, 2001–2025
2 sentences

2025Tackling the problem from the other direction, we find it unnecessary to decide whether the language of the Act or the history and circumstances of its adoption evince the requisite intent to contract because we agree with defendants that, under the reserved powers doctrine (see United States v. Winstar Corp. (1996) 518 U.S. 839, 888 (Winstar)), the Legislature could not contract away sovereign authority to manage a public institution like the College.

2025Hastings” and this case “does not concern any alleged public contractual interests asserted by the citizens of a municipality.” But the individuals who executed the bond and donated land for the courthouse in Newton were private citizens, and more importantly, the Court held that the State could not contract away its authority over “all offices within its reach” because it was “vital to the public welfare” that a future legislature “should be able at all times to do whatever the varying circumstances and present exigencies touching the subject involved may require.” (Newton, supra, 100 U.S. at

22
United States Trust Co. of NY v. New Jerseygreen
scotus · 1977 · cited in 2 California opinions naming this issue, 2001–2016
2 sentences

2016I, § 10.) He argues the contract clause “limits a state’s ability to unilaterally and retroactively alter the terms of an existing plea agreement.” He asserts our Supreme Court in Doe v. Harris (2013) 57 Cal.4th 64 (Doe), and the Court of Appeal in People v. Gipson (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1065 (Gipson), both relied on an outdated “absolutist view of the reserved powers doctrine adopted by” the Supreme Court in Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell (1934) 290 U.S. 398 (Blaisdell), which the Supreme Court has since “repudiated” (in defendant’s view) in the more recent case of United States Trus

2001Focusing on only a portion of the language used, Macpherson correctly observes that the Supreme Court stated the “initial inquiry concerns the ability of the State to enter into an agreement that limits its power to act in the future. . . . [T]he Contract Clause does not require a State to adhere to a contract that surrenders an essential attribute of its sovereignty.” (United States Trust, supra, 431 U.S. at p. 23 [ 97 S.Ct. at p. 1518 ].) From this language Macpherson makes the peculiar argument that the only significance of the reserved powers doctrine is that it, in essence, requires langu

12
Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodwardgreen
· 1819 · cited in 1 California opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025(Stats. 1878, ch. 351, § 2, p. 533; see Regents of University of California v. Superior Court (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 852 , 858 [“The California Constitution establishes the Regents as a ‘public trust . . . with full powers of organization and government’ ”]; City and County of San Francisco v. Regents of University of California (2019) 7 Cal.5th 536, 545 [noting that the College is “statutorily designated as the law department of the University of California (Ed. Code, § 92201)”]; cf. Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819) 17 U.S. 518, 638 [distinguishing private educational corporat

11
City of S.F. v. Regents of the Univ. of Cal.green
cal · 2019 · cited in 1 California opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025(Stats. 1878, ch. 351, § 2, p. 533; see Regents of University of California v. Superior Court (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 852 , 858 [“The California Constitution establishes the Regents as a ‘public trust . . . with full powers of organization and government’ ”]; City and County of San Francisco v. Regents of University of California (2019) 7 Cal.5th 536, 545 [noting that the College is “statutorily designated as the law department of the University of California (Ed. Code, § 92201)”]; cf. Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819) 17 U.S. 518, 638 [distinguishing private educational corporat

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in California. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (12)

CaseCitedYears
Olson v. Cory green
cal · 1980
2 sentences

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494 , 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773 , 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 217, fn. 4.) 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office. ( Olson v. Cory , supra , 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration , supra , 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 218.)

1997(Olson v. Cory, supra, 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration, supra, 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra, 218.) 7 of 7

21997–1997
Betts v. Board of Administration green
cal · 1978
2 sentences

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494 , 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773 , 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 217, fn. 4.) 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office. ( Olson v. Cory , supra , 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration , supra , 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 218.)

1997(Olson v. Cory, supra, 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration, supra, 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra, 218.) 7 of 7

21997–1997
California Teachers Assn. v. Cory green
calctapp · 1984
2 sentences

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494 , 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773 , 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 217, fn. 4.) 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office. ( Olson v. Cory , supra , 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration , supra , 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 218.)

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494, 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773, 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra, 217, fn. 4.) Footnote No. 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office.

21997–1997
Valdes v. Cory green
calctapp · 1983
2 sentences

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494 , 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773 , 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 217, fn. 4.) 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office. ( Olson v. Cory , supra , 27 Cal.3d at 540 ; Betts v. Board of Administration , supra , 21 Cal.3d at 866 ; 70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra , 218.)

1997(Cf. California Teachers Assn. v. Cory (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 494, 510-512 ; Valdez v. Cory (1983) 139 Cal.App.3d 773, 789-791 .) This reserved powers doctrine does not pertain, however, to a purely financial obligation. (70 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen., supra, 217, fn. 4.) Footnote No. 5 Such contractual interests include not only those in effect upon commencement of employment, but also those conferred during the term of office.

21997–1997
Town of East Hartford v. HartFord Bridge Co. green
ca8 · 1851
1 sentence

2025Hastings” and this case “does not concern any alleged public contractual interests asserted by the citizens of a municipality.” But the individuals who executed the bond and donated land for the courthouse in Newton were private citizens, and more importantly, the Court held that the State could not contract away its authority over “all offices within its reach” because it was “vital to the public welfare” that a future legislature “should be able at all times to do whatever the varying circumstances and present exigencies touching the subject involved may require.” (Newton, supra, 100 U.S. at

12025–2025
Newton v. Commissioners green
scotus · 1880
2 sentences

2025Defendants invoke Newton v. Commissioners (1879) 100 U.S. 548 (Newton), which concerned an 1846 Ohio statute providing that, “ ‘before the seat of justice shall be considered permanently established at Canfield, the proprietors or citizens thereof shall give bond with good and sufficient security, payable to the commissioners of said county . . . for the sum of $5,000, to be applied in erecting public buildings for said county, and that the citizens of Canfield shall also donate a suitable lot of ground on which to erect public buildings.’ ” (Id. at p. 549.) Numerous citizens of the town execu

2025Hastings” and this case “does not concern any alleged public contractual interests asserted by the citizens of a municipality.” But the individuals who executed the bond and donated land for the courthouse in Newton were private citizens, and more importantly, the Court held that the State could not contract away its authority over “all offices within its reach” because it was “vital to the public welfare” that a future legislature “should be able at all times to do whatever the varying circumstances and present exigencies touching the subject involved may require.” (Newton, supra, 100 U.S. at

12025–2025
Matsuda v. City and County of Honolulu green
ca9 · 2008
1 sentence

2025(Stats. 1878, ch. 351, § 2, p. 533; see Regents of University of California v. Superior Court (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 852 , 858 [“The California Constitution establishes the Regents as a ‘public trust . . . with full powers of organization and government’ ”]; City and County of San Francisco v. Regents of University of California (2019) 7 Cal.5th 536, 545 [noting that the College is “statutorily designated as the law department of the University of California (Ed. Code, § 92201)”]; cf. Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819) 17 U.S. 518, 638 [distinguishing private educational corporat

12025–2025
Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell green
scotus · 1934
1 sentence

2016I, § 10.) He argues the contract clause “limits a state’s ability to unilaterally and retroactively alter the terms of an existing plea agreement.” He asserts our Supreme Court in Doe v. Harris (2013) 57 Cal.4th 64 (Doe), and the Court of Appeal in People v. Gipson (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1065 (Gipson), both relied on an outdated “absolutist view of the reserved powers doctrine adopted by” the Supreme Court in Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell (1934) 290 U.S. 398 (Blaisdell), which the Supreme Court has since “repudiated” (in defendant’s view) in the more recent case of United States Trus

12016–2016
People v. Gipson green
calctapp · 2004
1 sentence

2016I, § 10.) He argues the contract clause “limits a state’s ability to unilaterally and retroactively alter the terms of an existing plea agreement.” He asserts our Supreme Court in Doe v. Harris (2013) 57 Cal.4th 64 (Doe), and the Court of Appeal in People v. Gipson (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1065 (Gipson), both relied on an outdated “absolutist view of the reserved powers doctrine adopted by” the Supreme Court in Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell (1934) 290 U.S. 398 (Blaisdell), which the Supreme Court has since “repudiated” (in defendant’s view) in the more recent case of United States Trus

12016–2016
Doe v. Harris green
cal · 2013
2 sentences

2016I, § 10.) He argues the contract clause “limits a state’s ability to unilaterally and retroactively alter the terms of an existing plea agreement.” He asserts our Supreme Court in Doe v. Harris (2013) 57 Cal.4th 64 (Doe), and the Court of Appeal in People v. Gipson (2004) 117 Cal.App.4th 1065 (Gipson), both relied on an outdated “absolutist view of the reserved powers doctrine adopted by” the Supreme Court in Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell (1934) 290 U.S. 398 (Blaisdell), which the Supreme Court has since “repudiated” (in defendant’s view) in the more recent case of United States Trus

2016In sum, defendant has failed to show the retroactive application of amended section 1203.4 to his motion violated the federal contract clause. 10 Although Doe examined only the law of contract interpretation (Doe, supra, 57 Cal.4th at p. 66 ), defendant discusses the opinion with respect to his contract clause challenge to the court’s order. 11 Doe explained, however, that “despite the general rule, the facts and circumstances of a particular plea agreement might give rise to an implicit promise that the defendant will be unaffected by a change in the law” and that “[w]hether such an understan

12016–2016
Grady v. North Carolina green
scotus · 2015
1 sentence

2016In sum, defendant has failed to show the retroactive application of amended section 1203.4 to his motion violated the federal contract clause. 10 Although Doe examined only the law of contract interpretation (Doe, supra, 57 Cal.4th at p. 66 ), defendant discusses the opinion with respect to his contract clause challenge to the court’s order. 11 Doe explained, however, that “despite the general rule, the facts and circumstances of a particular plea agreement might give rise to an implicit promise that the defendant will be unaffected by a change in the law” and that “[w]hether such an understan

12016–2016
Stone v. Mississippi green
· 1880
2 sentences

2001For example, in Stone v. Mississippi (1879) 101 U.S. 814 [ 25 L.Ed. 1079 ], the Supreme Court permitted prosecution of a state-chartered corporation for conducting a lottery in violation of state law even though the company’s charter, issued before the law was enacted, expressly authorized that activity.

2001For example, in Stone v. Mississippi (1879) 101 U.S. 814 [ 25 L.Ed. 1079 ], the Supreme Court permitted prosecution of a state-chartered corporation for conducting a lottery in violation of state law even though the company’s charter, issued before the law was enacted, expressly authorized that activity.

12001–2001

Where else courts name it

TX 6 (2011–2017) CA 5 (1997–2025) OR 3 (2015–2015) MD 3 (1989–2021) WI 2 (2001–2006) CO 2 (2007–2025) KS 2 (1994–2007)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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