When the federal government seeks to cede its exclusive jurisdiction of federal land located on a military installation, California law provides the process for the state to formally accept retrocession of jurisdiction. This process is managed by the State Lands Commission, which must find the transfer to be in the state's best interest and hold a public meeting before the retrocession becomes effective. This process has been used to establish concurrent jurisdiction for various military installations in California. Additionally, California Welfare and Institutions Code grants state juvenile courts jurisdiction over all minors who violate state or federal law. This framework provides the structure and process for which shared jurisdiction, once requested and accepted, can be carried out between the military installation and local juvenile court authorities through memoranda of understanding.

The California Governor's Military Council’s purpose shall be to retain military installations and operations within this state that are necessary for the defense of the nation. To further this purpose, the Council shall work to expand California’s role in national defense and security, ensure the relevance, retention and longevity of the military’s installations and operations in California, and support military leaders, service personnel, veterans and their families, and the defense industrial base located in California.