AB 686

Under current law, a judge or justice may be required to disqualify himself or

herself from a legal action if certain circumstances exist that would render the judge

or justice incapable of acting in an impartial manner or if the judge or justice believes

that he or she would appear incapable of acting in an impartial manner. Current law

requires a judge or justice who is disqualified to file in writing the reasons for the

disqualification.

This bill requires a judge or justice who does not disqualify himself or herself

after a motion for disqualification is filed by a party in the action to file in writing

the reasons he or she did not disqualify himself or herself. Under the bill, a judge

or justice must file the reasons for disqualification or for deciding against

disqualification within 60 days after a final judgment or final order has been issued

in the action.