BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2485
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2485 (Feuer)
As Amended May 13, 2010
Majority vote
JUDICIARY 7-3 APPROPRIATIONS 11-5
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|Ayes:|Feuer, Brownley, Evans, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Hill, Bradford, |
| |Jones, Monning, Nava, | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| |Skinner | |Davis, Hall, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Torlakson, |
| | | |Torrico |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Tran, Hagman, Knight |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Increases the fee paid by non-California lawyers who
seek admission to practice in a particular case. Specifically,
this bill increases the existing fee from $250 to $500, with the
funds going for the support of the courts.
EXISTING LAW specifies various uniform fees for filing specified
documents in connection with certain civil proceedings,
including a fee of $250.00 for filing in the superior court an
application to appear as counsel pro hac vice.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
analysis, the bill will generate increased annual revenue of
about $500,000 to the Trial Court Trust Fund.
COMMENTS : In support of the bill the author states:
"Non-California lawyers are entitled to temporarily practice law
in California by obtaining court approval to file an appearance
in a matter without having satisfied the terms for admission to
the Stat Bar required of California residents. For this
privilege, these out-of-state lawyers pay a modest fee of $250.
This bill would increase that fee in order to provide critical
financial support of the court system in which they are allowed
to practice."
Co-sponsor California Defense Counsel states: "AB 2485 makes a
AB 2485
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narrow change to the Government Code to increase fees charged
for pro hac vice appearances (appearances by out-of-state
counsel) from $250 to $500. We are advised that pro hac vice
fees in many states have been increased in recent years. It is
not unreasonable that lawyers in other states, offered the
privilege of temporarily practicing law in California pursuant
to their out-of-state licenses, help defray expenses in our
courts as California lawyers are asked to do when practicing
outside our state. AB 2485 is a small piece of an absolutely
critical discussion of court funding.
Co-sponsor Consumer Attorneys of California states, "AB 2485
increases the fees charged for pro hac vice appearances by
out-of- state attorneys from $250 to $500. This change is
necessary to help generate critically needed funds in this time
of severe budget difficulties.
Analysis Prepared by : Kevin G. Baker / JUD. / (916) 319-2334
FN: 0004404