CC - 1986-24 - Supporting Prop 51r
• RESOLUTION NO. 86-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD SUPPORTING PROPOSITION #51:
THE FAIR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986
WHEREAS, the present court-adopted doctrine of "joint and
several liability" operates as a "Deep Pocket Doctrine," and has
unfairly cost the taxpayers and consumers of California millions of
dollars in court judgments, settlements, legal costs, skyrocketing
insurance premiums and difficulty in obtaining adequate liability
insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, many cities, other governmental bodies, business
firms and professionals are selected as defendants in lawsuits merely
because of their perceived assets or insurance and often are found
only fractionally at fault but must pay most or all of the judgment
because the defendants most at fault cannot pay; and
WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the
taxpayers and consumers of California; and
WHEREAS, the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" is an
initiative measure that would give the voters of California an
opportunity to reform the inequities and injustices of this "Deep
Pocket Doctrine" by holding liability lawsuit defendants financially
liable in closer proportion to their degree of actual fault; and
WHEREAS, the Council is concerned about the misleading nature
of the "No" on Proposition 51 advertisements.
NOW, THEREFORE, the city council of the City of Rosemead,
resolves as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council endorses the "Fair
Responsibility Act of 1986" and urges its support and passage to
relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its
taxpayers.
+ SECTION 2. #e City Clerk shall certi*o the adoption of
this Resolution and send a copy of this Resolution to the League of
California Cities, the California Contract Cities Association,
Senator Montoya and Assemblywoman Tanner.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this 27th day of May, 1986.
AYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk