HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4663 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SUPPORTING THE "FAIR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986"
WHEREAS, the present joint and several liability law, also know 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 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
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, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Downey 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. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
Resolution and provide for appropriate distribution thereof.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 26t11 day of November 1985.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
/I /
, ,
City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the
City Council of the City of Downey at a regular meeting hereof, held on
—' the 26th d ay of November by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Santangelo, Boggs, Cormack, Barb, Davila
NOES: o COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS:
id. ti
City Clerk