District Court, E.D. California May 13, 1981, Nos. CV F 79-215-EDP, CV F 80-119-EDP (Gonzales v. Harris)

PRICE, District Judge.

These cases were ordered consolidated for oral argument so that the court could consider the following portion of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1):1

“(b)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary—

(A) a judge may designate a magistrate to hear and determine any pretrial matter pending before the court, except a motion for injunctive relief, for judgment on the pleadings,