California Supreme Court Watch

#24-145 City of San Jose v. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, S285426. (H050889; 101 Cal.App.5th 777; Santa Clara County Superior Court; 21CV391517.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment in a civil action. The court limited review to the following issue: Is the issuance of pension obligation bonds to finance unfunded pension liability subject to the voter-approval requirement of article XVI, section 18, subdivision (a) of the California Constitution?

Petition for review granted; issues limited: 8/14/2024

Case fully briefed: 1/22/2025

Cause argued and submitted: 10/08/2025

Opinion filed: Judgment affirmed in full: 12/18/2025

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.

See the Petition for Review.

See the Oral Argument.

See the California Supreme Court Opinion.  (City of San Jose v. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (2025) 18 Cal.5th 1106.)

“We hold that the proposed pension obligation bonds, even if deemed to create a new debt, fall within the exception to the local debt limitation for obligations imposed by law. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is affirmed.”

Justice Evans authored the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Guerrero and Justices Corrigan, Liu, Kruger, Groban, and Jenkins* concurred.