The California Senate on the floor passed Senate Bill 251, an urgency measure that appropriates $1,220,000 from the General Fund to pay prevailing parties’ attorneys’ fees and costs in three specified legal claims.

The bill’s author, Senator Anna Caballero, told colleagues the appropriation covers “binding state obligations” where the state won some litigation and lost other parts, leaving payments that the state must make. Caballero said the payments come from approved settlement agreements and that failing to approve them would produce additional litigation and costs. She asked senators for an aye vote.

Senator Sayardo pressed criticism of the state’s role in the contested cases. “It does pain me and give me heartburn to know that we continue to do pay the taxpayers,” Sayardo said, citing three specific payments described on the floor: $617,000 tied to a drafting loophole, $244,400 in a stipulated judgment in Linton v. Bonta, and $359,814 for a separate settlement the senator characterized as arising from an unconstitutional law the Department of Justice defended.

Caballero responded that the attorney general had defended the state where appropriate, that the state won some claims and lost others, and that the resulting obligations make the appropriation necessary.

A roll-call vote recorded 38 ayes and 0 noes and the measure was approved.

Clarifying details recorded during debate showed three specified payout amounts (noted above) and that SB 251 is an urgency appropriation specifically described on the Senate floor to meet legal payment obligations.

Votes at a glance: SB 251 — approved, roll call 38–0.

The bill takes effect immediately as an urgency measure and funds will be drawn from the General Fund to satisfy the settled court obligations.