05424�
RESOLUTION NO. 542
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA ENDORSING THE "FAIR
RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986" AND URGING ITS SUPPORT
AND PASSAGE
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 insurance premiums and difficulty in obtaining
adequate liability insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, this same doctrine has also cost other governmental
a bodies, business firms and professionals many millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the tax-
payers 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 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 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 the City of Rolling Hills
endorse the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" and urge its support
and passage to relieve the financial strain imposed on local govern-
ment and its taxpayers. .
READ AND ADOPTED at
9th day of December, 1985 by
members of said City Council.
ATTEST:
Rolling Hills, California, on this
a majority vote of the duly elected
Mayor
City Cle
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 542 was adopted by
_ the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills at a regular meeting on
December 9, 1985 by.the following vote
AYES: Councilmembers Leeuwenburgh, Murdock, Pernell, Swanson
Mayor Heinsheimer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None