An act to add Section 1775.16 to the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to civil actions.
Summary
AB 1950 would create a temporary, Los Angeles County–specific authority allowing the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to order any civil case into mediation, even when the amount in controversy exceeds the $75,000 limit that will otherwise apply under existing law beginning January 1, 2027. The bill adds Section 1775.16 to the Code of Civil Procedure and applies the existing mediation eligibility rules except for the monetary cap. It also provides that cases ordered to mediation are entitled to up to three hours of no-cost mediation services through a court-sanctioned mediation program, and that parties may appear remotely.
The bill further states that mediation under this authority cannot be used to delay trial dates or other expedited procedures, including procedures for older litigants under Section 36. If the presiding judge uses this authority, the court must report annually to the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees beginning January 31, 2028, including the number of cases sent to mediation, how often trial dates were delayed, and how often cases settled. The authority would sunset on January 1, 2032.
Impact
AB 1950 would create a special, local exception to statewide mediation limits for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, effectively expanding the court’s ability to route higher-value civil cases into mediation. It would not change the general statewide rule for other courts, but it would override the $75,000 amount-in-controversy restriction for Los Angeles County if the presiding judge issues the required order. The bill also adds reporting obligations and a sunset date, making the measure temporary and data-driven.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support and no recorded opposition: the bill passed committee unanimously, 12-0, and was reported out with a recommendation to the consent calendar. The legislative findings suggest the measure is framed as a practical response to heavy civil caseloads in Los Angeles County and the court’s existing mediation capacity. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so there is no additional recorded debate to indicate broader controversy.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether Los Angeles County should receive a special carve-out from the statewide $75,000 mediation threshold. Support appears to rest on the county’s large and growing civil docket and its existing mediation infrastructure, while any potential concern would be that the bill creates a county-specific exception rather than a uniform statewide rule. The bill also addresses possible objections about delay by expressly prohibiting mediation from postponing trials or expedited proceedings, and by requiring annual reporting to monitor outcomes.