April 13, 2011 - The California State Assembly passed AB 621 on April 7 in a straight party-line vote, 47-25, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed (seven lawmakers did not vote). The bill was sponsored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, who in the 2010 election cycle donated $274,650 to current Assemblymembers, all of them Democrats.
The bill would force rental car companies that provide supplemental third-party insurance to non-resident renters to accept legal process on behalf of these renters when they are responsible for an accident, according to an April 5, 2011 Assembly Judiciary Committee bill analysis.
- From Jan. 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2010, the Consumer Attorneys of California gave $410,753 in campaign contributions to lawmakers serving in the 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 sessions, 100% of which went to Democratic lawmakers.
- Of the $1,004,085 in contributions since 2003 from the Consumer Attorneys of California to lawmakers serving in the 2009 or 2011 legislatures, $996,885 has gone to Democratic lawmakers, $7,200 to Independents, and $0 to Republicans.
- In the 2010 election cycle, contributions connected to the attorneys and law firms industry gave over $2 million to current California Assemblymembers, $1,776,408 (or roughly 89%) of which went to Democrats.
- Since 2003, Democrats serving in the 2009-2010 and the 2011-2012 legislative sessions have received $9,640,689 in contributions connected to attorneys and law firms while Republicans have received $1,359,942.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Contributions in 2010 election cycle from Consumer Attorneys of California to current Assemblymembers
| Total Contributions | |
|---|---|
| All Assemblymembers | $274,650 |
| Assembly Democrats | $274,650 |
| Assembly Republicans | $- |
| Top Assembly Recipients | Total Contributions |
| Betsy Butler | $15,850 |
| Bob Wieckowski | $11,700 |
| Luis Alejo | $11,700 |
| Roger Dickinson | $11,700 |
| Ben Hueso | $10,300 |
| Michael Allen | $9,800 |
| Norma Torres | $8,400 |
| Manuel Perez | $7,800 |
| Roger Hernandez | $7,800 |
| Steven Bradford | $7,800 |
Contributions since 2003 from Consumer Attorneys of California to lawmakers serving in 2009 or 2011 legislatures
| Total Contributions | |
|---|---|
| All Legislators | $1,004,085 |
| Democrats | $996,885 |
| Republicans | $- |
| Independents | $7,200 |
| Top Recipients | Total Contributions |
| Dave Jones | $41,710 |
| Noreen Evans | $26,450 |
| Mark Leno | $24,400 |
| Loni Hancock | $23,000 |
| Joe Coto | $18,700 |
| Hector De La Torre | $17,400 |
| Lois Wolk | $17,200 |
| Ron Calderon | $16,700 |
| Mark DeSaulnier | $16,600 |
| Mary Salas | $16,153 |
California campaign contributions data source: National Institute on Money in State Politics.
