Skip to content

Civil Procedure: recovery of defense costs.

Passed first chamber: it can still change before the session ends.

CA AB 859 · Assembly Bill · 2025–2026

Stage
Passed first chamber
Started in
Assembly
Sponsor
1
Latest action
Aug 29, 2025

What it does

Existing law permits a defendant or a cross-defendant in a civil proceeding under the Government Claims Act, or in any civil action for indemnity or contribution, to seek from the court, at the time of the granting of a motion for summary judgment, directed verdict, motion for judgment in a nonjury trial, or nonsuit dismissing the moving party other than the plaintiff, petitioner, cross-complainant, or intervenor, to determine whether the plaintiff, petitioner, cross-complainant, or intervenor brought their proceeding in good faith and with reasonable cause. If the court determines that the proceeding was not brought in good faith or with reasonable cause, existing law requires the court to…

Read the full text

Where it stands

  1. Introduced (Done)

  2. Committee (Done)

  3. Floor (Current step)

    Passed first chamber · Aug 29, 2025

  4. Law (Not started)

What moved

Loading recorded actions…

Who is involved

Sponsors

The lawmakers who put their names on it, lead sponsors first.

In the news

Reporting that may mention this subject. Possible matches are labeled.

Loading coverage…

Where it goes next

While a bill can still move, the questions are about people and money in California.

Work with this bill

Civil Procedure: recovery of defense costs. | 52