THE QUESTION Should the 1999 law which amended the provisions of Proposition 30 to limit when a third-party claimant can sue an insurance company be approved? PROVISIONS If approved, this proposition would allow provisions of AB 1309 to go into effect. By itself, however, this proposition does not change existing law. It becomes law only if the voters also approve Proposition 30 on this ballot. Proposition 31 would amend parts of Proposition 30, limiting to some extent when a third-party claimant can sue an insurance company for unfair claims practices.
BACKGROUND See section Background for Proposition 30 and 31. FISCAL EFFECT This proposition would have a fiscal effect only if Proposition 30 is approved. Proposition 31 would cause state revenues to increase slightly less than if only Proposition 30 were approved. The net impact on state court costs is unknown. IMPACT OF YES OR NO VOTE A YES vote means there will be restrictions on when a third-party claimant can sue another party's insurance company for unfair claims handling--but only if Proposition 30 is approved by the voters. A NO vote means the provisions of Proposition 30 will not be amended. SUPPORTERS SAY
OPPONENTS SAY
SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS The official ballot arguments in support are signed by Howard L. Owens, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California; Rosemary Shahan, President, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety; and Kay McVay, RN, President, California Nurses Association. Other supporters mentioned in the ballot arguments include Consumers Union, Congress of California Seniors, and United Policyholders. The official ballot arguments in opposition are signed by Harriet C. Salarno, President, Crime Victims United of California; Jeff Sedivec, President, California State Firefighters' Association; Betty Jo Toccoli, Chair, California Small Business Roundtable; John H. Sullivan, President, Civil Justice Association of California; Larry McCarthy, President, California Taxpayers' Association; and John Powell, C.O.O., Seniors Coalition. Other opponents mentioned in the ballot arguments include Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Associaton, National Taxpayer Alliance, California Chamber of Commerce, California Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, 60 Plus Association, Voter Revolt, Consumers First, Consumers Coalition of California, California Alliance for Consumer Protection, Civil Justice Association of California, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Latin Business Association, California Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce, Black Business Association, US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, California Black Chamber of Commerce, Hmong American Political Association, Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF), California Business Properties Association, U. S. Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Business Persons with Disabilities, Small Business Survival Committee, California Building Industry Association, California Grocers Association, Citizens for a Sound Economy, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Silicon Valley). For more information: Supporters: Consumers and Their Attorneys, Yes on Proposition 30, 916-491-4691, www.yes31.org Opponents: Consumers Against Fraud and Higher Insurance Costs, 800-952-0530, email info@cafhic.org, www.NO30and31.org
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