BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 3081
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          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 3081 (Judiciary Committee)
          As Amended June 21, 2004
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |71-0 |(April 19,      |SENATE: |38-0 |(June 24,      |
          |           |     |2004)           |        |     |2004)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    JUD.  

           SUMMARY  :  Reorganizes the civil discovery statutes by dividing  
          the statutes into short sections grouped in chapters according  
          to subject matter.  Makes conforming changes in cross-references  
          to the discovery statutes in other code sections.

           The Senate amendments  add double-jointing language to address a  
          chaptering out issue.

           EXISTING LAW  sets forth numerous provisions governing discovery  
          in civil actions and proceedings.

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill was substantively similar  
          to the version passed by the Senate.

           FISCAL EFFECT :  None

           COMMENTS  :  According to the sponsor, California Law Revision  
          Commission (CLRC), the statutes governing civil discovery are  
          logically organized, but are difficult to use due to their  
          length and complexity.  CLRC recommends a nonsubstantive  
          reorganization of the civil discovery provisions, keeping the  
          existing statutory language but dividing the statutes into short  
          sections grouped in chapters according to subject matter.  CLRC  
          states that the reorganization will enhance readability for  
          courts and practitioners, and assist them in interpreting and  
          following the law, among other advantages.  The full report and  
          recommendation is available at:  
           http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Printed-Reports/Rec-DiscReorg.pdf  .  


          Analysis Prepared by  :     Kevin G. Baker / JUD. / (916) 319-2334  










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