John B. Oakley, a professor of law at the University of California, Davis, has been appointed to a key position on a national committee that reviews proposed changes to the federal judicial system. William H. Rehnquist, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, has appointed Oakley as Reporter for the U. S. Judicial Conference Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction. The committee reviews legislative proposals affecting the jurisdiction of the federal courts, in particular those that deal with the overlapping responsibilities of state and federal courts. The committee also generates proposals for new legislation. It does not address the substantive merits of proposed or existing laws, but it does address their procedural costs and benefits. As Reporter, Oakley will serve as the committee's scholarly consultant, and be called upon to conduct research, provide historical background and assess the implications of legislative proposals. His appointment, which became effective Nov. 29, will be for an indefinite period. During his tenure with the committee, Oakley said, he will have an opportunity to comment on most new legislative proposals that would affect the federal judicial system. The committee consists of 12 members: four federal appellate judges, four federal trial judges and four state-court chief justices, including Malcolm M. Lucas, chief justice of the California Supreme Court.