California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Senate OKs Bill on Suit Settlement Data

Heavily lobbied legislation that would open to public inspection out-of-court settlements involving cases of defective products, environmental hazards and civil fraud was narrowly approved Thursday by the Senate. The action handed a big defeat to California businesses and manufacturers, whose representatives argued that the bill would drive more employers from the state. It also gave a sweet victory to consumer advocates, environmental protection activists and personal injury lawyers. As platoons of lobbyists for both sides of the issue jammed hallways outside the Senate chamber, the bill by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) was approved on a 21-16 vote, the minimum required to send it to the Assembly. Proponents of the bill charged that the current system unfairly allows the details of out-of-court settlements to be kept from the public through confidentiality agreements.