CC RES 1986-019RESOLUTION N0. 86 -19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VE RDE S ENDORSING THE FAIR
RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986 (PROPOSITION NO.51)
WHEREAS, the present joint and several liability law, also known as the
"Deep Pocket Doctrine ", has unfairly cost the cities of California millions
of dollars in court judgments, settlements, legal costs, skyrocketing in-
surance premiums and difficulty in obtaining adequate liability insurance
coverage; and
WHEREAS, this same doctrine has also cost other governmental bodies,
business firms and professionals many millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and
consumers of California; 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, the cost of this is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and con-
sumers 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 in-
equities and injustices of the-"Deep Pocket Doctrine" by holding liability
lawsuit defendants financially liable in closer proportion to their degree
of fault; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that the City Council of
dorse the "Fair Responsibility Act of
age to relieve the financial strain
taxpayerso
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes en-
1986" and urge its support and pass -
imposed on local government and its
County of Los Angeles
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ss
I$ JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 86 -19 was duly and regularly
passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof
held on April 15, 1986.
City Cleti City of Rancho Palos Verdes
t
704CP /RES5.1 Resolution No. 86 -19