Bill to require transparency about real parties in civil assignments wins unanimous committee support

Sen. Taro presented SB 932 to the Senate Judiciary subcommittee as a narrowly drawn bill requiring identification of the original real party in interest in civil proceedings.

The sponsor argued the measure would close a gap that allows some plaintiffs or claimants to hide behind layers of assignments and shell companies, making it difficult for victims, creditors, and government agencies to identify who benefits from financial recoveries.

Sponsor testimony Narisse Kalatyan, a delegate to the Conference of California Bar Associations and an attorney with decades of experience, told the committee she has seen assignments used to anonymize recoveries — for example, debtors transferring rights to out‑of‑state corporations — and said SB 932 would impose modest identification requirements to improve accountability.

Opposition concerns Will Abrams of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition said the bill, while well‑intended, could fall short in complex wildfire litigation involving multiple plaintiff groups, negotiated settlements, and litigation financing. He urged amendments to require more robust disclosures of overlapping interests and financing arrangements; the coalition said it would oppose the bill unless amended.

Committee action and outcome The author closed by stressing the bill’s purpose of increased transparency and accountability; the committee moved SB 932 and recorded unanimous support during roll calls, placing the bill out of committee on the consent calendar.

Next steps Lawmakers and interested parties signaled further work on disclosure specifics may be needed if the bill proceeds to later stages.