California Code, Government Code - GOV § 75028

(a) Except as provided in Sections 75060.6, 75080, and 68543.5, any designation as a judge pro tempore or any assignment by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council shall be disregarded for purposes of this chapter.  For the purposes of this chapter no person shall acquire status as a judge, nor shall any person's status as a judge be affected, by any such designation or assignment.

(b) A judge who elects to be available for full-time service on senior judge status after the effective date of retirement, shall be compensated by the state for that time at a rate equal to the full compensation of a judge of the court from which he or she retired or, at the judge's election, at a rate equal to the full compensation of a judge of the court to which he or she is assigned.  A judge serving on senior judge status also shall be eligible for travel, board, and lodging expenses, as provided in Section 68543.5.