HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2303 RESOLLTION NO. 2303
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY CDUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
ENDORSING THE FAIR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986
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 judgn~_nts, settlements, legal costs,
skyrocketing insurance premi~ns 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
W~EREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and
consumers of California, and
WHEREAS, many cities, other gove~ental 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
cons~ners of California, and
WHEREAS, the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" is an initiative measure
that would give the voters of California an opprotunity 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, ~ IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City
of Saratoga endorses the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" and urges
its support and passage to relieve the financial strain imposed on
local goverrmmnt and its taxpayers.
The above and foregoing resoluticn was passed and adopted at a regular
meeting of the Saratoga City Council held on the 5th day of February,
1986, by the follc~ing vote:
AYES: Counciln~s Callon, Fanelli, Hlava, and Mayor Clevenger
NOES: None
ABSENT: No~e
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Moyles j~~j ~
Mayor
ATTEST:.
eputy