RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE
SUPPORTING COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC AGENCY TORT REFORM TO PROTECT
TAXPAYERS AND PRESERVE ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICES
WHEREAS, the City of Marysville has a responsibility to protect public funds, ensure accountability, and preserve the financial resources necessary to provide essential municipal services for the community; and
WHEREAS, California cities and other public agencies have experienced significant increases in public entity liability costs that ultimately are borne by taxpayers; and WHEREAS, recently released data from the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) indicates that known public entity liability exposure exceeds $7 billion, has tripled during the past seven years, and is projected to continue increasing substantially if legislative action is not taken;
WHEREAS, increasing liability costs reduce the financial resources available for police protection, fire protection, transportation infrastructure, parks, recreation, and other essential public services; and
WHEREAS, the League of California Cities, California Association of Joint Powers Authorities, Rural County Representatives of California, California School Boards Association, and numerous other statewide organizations have called upon the California Legislature to enact comprehensive public agency tort reform;
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of ensuring that individuals harmed through the negligence or wrongdoing of public entities retain meaningful access to justice while also protecting taxpayers and preserving the ability of public agencies to provide essential public services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Marysville as follows:
Section 1. The City Council supports comprehensive public agency tort reform that maintains public accountability while preserving the financial ability of California public agencies to provide essential public services.
Section 2. The City Council supports legislative efforts that:
A. Establish reasonable limitations on damages in civil actions against public entities while preserving meaningful compensation for injured parties; B. Restore proportional (several) liability so that public agencies are responsible only for damages attributable to their own conduct; and
C. Establish appropriate evidentiary and procedural standards for claims involving decadesold allegations where records and witnesses may no longer be available.
Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the League of California Cities, the City's State Senator and Assembly Member, and such other interested parties as directed by the Mayor or City Manager.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 18th day of August, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said City this 18th day of August 2026.
By:
Maggie Sanchez, City Clerk
Attestation Date:
City of Marysville, California
By its City Council
By:
Chris Branscum, Mayor