SACRAMENTO — After a lengthy hearing marked by last-minute political maneuvering, the Trial Court Rights Act passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

The heavily amended bill, sponsored by the Alliance of California Judges, initially appeared headed toward defeat. Many of the committee members complained that the legislation is unfair to new Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye or that it gives too much power to big courts — Los Angeles County Superior Court in particular.