California 2011-2012 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 556 — Punitive damages.

Last action — From committee without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2011-2012 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing law authorizes the plaintiff, in an action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, to recover damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant in addition to the actual damages. This bill would, in any action commenced on or after July 1, 2012, in which exemplary damages are recoverable pursuant to these provisions, require the trier of fact to determine whether the defendant is liable for exemplary damages, and require the trial court to determine the amount of the award and enter an order setting forth the amount of the award and the reasons supporting the award.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

1 line(s) added, 1 removed.

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Action History

  1. From committee without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  2. In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage.

  3. Referred to Com. on JUD.

  4. From printer. May be heard in committee March 19.

  5. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Wagner · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Wagner

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Do pass.

Failed 3 Yea · 7 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 1000
Unaffiliated 2700
Total 3700
% of votes cast 30%70%0%0%
How each member voted (10)
Member Party Vote
Wagner — Yea
Atkins — Nay
Huffman — Nay
Monning — Nay
Wieckowski — Nay
Huber — Nay
Silva — Yea
Feuer — Nay
Dickinson — Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does AB 556 do?
Existing law authorizes the plaintiff, in an action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, to recover damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant in addition to the actual damages. This bill would, in any action commenced on or after July 1, 2012, in which exemplary damages are recoverable pursuant to these provisions, require the trier of fact to determine whether the defendant is liable for exemplary damages, and require the trial court to determine the amount of the award and enter an order setting forth the amount of the award and the reasons supporting the award.
Who sponsors AB 556?
AB 556 is sponsored by Wagner.
What is the current status of AB 556?
This bill died with 2011-2012 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 556?
Track AB 556 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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