Bill > SB678

This bill adds a new section to California's Code of Civil Procedure that addresses legal challenges to fire prevention projects. Specifically, the bill allows defendants in civil actions (including those under the California Environmental Quality Act) to request that plaintiffs who are challenging fire prevention projects provide a financial undertaking (essentially a bond) to cover potential costs and damages if the lawsuit appears to be intended to delay or stop the project. The defendant must prove the lawsuit is without merit and was brought in bad faith or for the purpose of obstruction. Plaintiffs can argue against providing the full bond amount by demonstrating that it would cause them undue economic hardship. The maximum potential undertaking is capped at $500,000, and courts have the discretion to reduce or waive the bond requirement if it would create significant financial strain for the plaintiff. The bill is classified as an urgency statute, meaning it takes effect immediately, with the stated purpose of reducing catastrophic wildfires by facilitating fire prevention projects by limiting potentially frivolous legal challenges that could impede such efforts.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB678