BILL NUMBER:  SB 156
  VETOED	DATE: 09/24/2013




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 156 without my signature.

This bill would eliminate a court's discretion to compensate a
guardian or conservator from the conservatee's estate for costs
incurred to defend a fee request if the court reduces the fee request
by even a small amount.

I believe that judges exercise their discretion under existing law
governing compensation for defense costs in a fair and balanced way.
Nevertheless, the bill could have improved the process had the last
amendment to the bill not eliminated the three qualifying criteria
under which a judge could award some or all of the defense costs. I
cannot sign this bill without them.


Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.