Resolution 10785CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 10785
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 bodies, business firms and professionals many
millions of dollars; 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
No
financially liable in closer proportion to their degree of fault;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City
of Alameda that said Council hereby endorses the "Fair
''',- Responsibility Act of 1986" and urges its support and passage to
::.c,...; relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its
E - taxpayers.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the
City of Alameda in regular meeting assembled on the 19th of November, 1985,
by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmernbers Corica, Hanna, Lucas, Monsef and President Diament - 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: 'done.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
official seal of said City this 20th day of November, 1985.
City Clerk of the City of Alameda