BILL NUMBER: SR 83INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Wolk AUGUST 1, 2016 Relative to California county law libraries. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, Democratic societies are sustained by the trust that the people invest in their government and the legal institutions and systems that deliver justice; and WHEREAS, Free and equal access to law-related information is a cornerstone of a democratic and open society; and WHEREAS, In the face of a national crisis, with growing numbers of individuals who either cannot afford or cannot access legal representation, California's county law libraries provide access to justice by assisting self-represented litigants; and WHEREAS, California's county law libraries are an essential component of the justice system and reduce stress on the overburdened court system; and WHEREAS, California's county law libraries promote economic recovery by helping small businesses, assisting individuals with workforce reentry, and speeding resolution of disputes; and WHEREAS, California's county law libraries are celebrating 125 years of service to the people of the State of California; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, that the Senate commends county law libraries throughout the state for the essential services they provide, recognizes August 17, 2016, as County Law Library Day in California, and urges individuals and institutions to observe this day with appropriate notice and ceremony so that Californians may achieve a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of the vital role of California's county law libraries in accessing and delivering justice to the people of the State of California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.