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RESOLUTION NO. 5298
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING
PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 51 - THE FAIR
RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986 - TO COMBAT
THE "DEEP POCKET DOCTIUNE"
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, settle-
ments, legal costs, skyrocketing insurance 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 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.
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5298
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES BEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council endorse the "Fair
Responsibility Act of 1986" and urge its support and passage to
relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its
taxpayers.
SECTION 2. That the City Clerk certify to the adoption of
this Resolution.
Passed, approved and adopted this 6th day of May, 1986.
~~/<n#~
Mayo 0 e It of Arca a
ATTEST:
~~~~
Clty Clerk of tne Clty of Arcadla
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) SS:
CITY OF ARCADIA )
I, CHRISTINE VAN MAANEN, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia,
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 5298 was passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arcadia, signed by
the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a regular meeting
of said Council on the 6th day of May, 1986 and that said
Resolution was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilman Chandler, Gilb, Harbicht, Lojeski and Young
NOES: None
the Clty of Arcadla
ABSENT: None
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5298