1985-165-Supporting The "Fair Responsibility Act Of 1986" InitiativeRESOLUTION NO. 1935 -165
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
SUPPORTING THE "FAIR RESPONSIBILITY
ACT OF 1986" INITIATIVE
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 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, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
does hereby 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.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the.Town of Los Gatos at a regular
meeting held this 18th day of November , 1985, . by t e following
vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS Joanne Benjamin, Eric D.
Carlson, and Mayor Terrence J. Daily
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS Thomas J. Ferrito, Brent N. Ventura
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOW OF LOS GA S
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ��