Assembly Bill No. 1025 CHAPTER 823 An act to amend Section 31000.6 of the Government Code, relating to local government. [ Approved by Governor October 13, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 13, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1025, Dixon. County government: contract legal counsel: elected treasurer-tax collector.(1) Existing law requires a county board of supervisors, upon request of the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff, to contract with legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff with duties that the district attorney or county counsel would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff. In the event the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff that a conflict of interest exists, existing law authorizes the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff to initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court, as provided.This bill would extend these provisions to additionally require the board of supervisors to contract with legal counsel to assist the elected treasurer-tax collector, as described above. By adding to the duties of county boards of supervisors with respect to contracts for legal counsel, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bill would also update an obsolete cross-reference.(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 31000.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Assembly Bill No. 1025 CHAPTER 823 An act to amend Section 31000.6 of the Government Code, relating to local government. [ Approved by Governor October 13, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 13, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1025, Dixon. County government: contract legal counsel: elected treasurer-tax collector.(1) Existing law requires a county board of supervisors, upon request of the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff, to contract with legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff with duties that the district attorney or county counsel would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff. In the event the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff that a conflict of interest exists, existing law authorizes the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff to initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court, as provided.This bill would extend these provisions to additionally require the board of supervisors to contract with legal counsel to assist the elected treasurer-tax collector, as described above. By adding to the duties of county boards of supervisors with respect to contracts for legal counsel, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bill would also update an obsolete cross-reference.(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Assembly Bill No. 1025 CHAPTER 823
Assembly Bill No. 1025
CHAPTER 823
An act to amend Section 31000.6 of the Government Code, relating to local government.
[ Approved by Governor October 13, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 13, 2023. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1025, Dixon. County government: contract legal counsel: elected treasurer-tax collector.
(1) Existing law requires a county board of supervisors, upon request of the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff, to contract with legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff with duties that the district attorney or county counsel would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff. In the event the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff that a conflict of interest exists, existing law authorizes the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff to initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court, as provided.This bill would extend these provisions to additionally require the board of supervisors to contract with legal counsel to assist the elected treasurer-tax collector, as described above. By adding to the duties of county boards of supervisors with respect to contracts for legal counsel, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bill would also update an obsolete cross-reference.(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1) Existing law requires a county board of supervisors, upon request of the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff, to contract with legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff with duties that the district attorney or county counsel would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff. In the event the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff that a conflict of interest exists, existing law authorizes the county assessor, auditor-controller, or sheriff to initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court, as provided.
This bill would extend these provisions to additionally require the board of supervisors to contract with legal counsel to assist the elected treasurer-tax collector, as described above. By adding to the duties of county boards of supervisors with respect to contracts for legal counsel, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would also update an obsolete cross-reference.
(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 31000.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31000.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.
SECTION 1. Section 31000.6 of the Government Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.
31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.
31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.
31000.6. (a) Upon request of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector of the county, the board of supervisors shall contract with and employ legal counsel to assist the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector in the performance of their duties in any case where the county counsel or the district attorney would have a conflict of interest in representing the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector.
(b) In the event that the board of supervisors does not concur with the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector that a conflict of interest exists, the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector, after giving notice to the county counsel or the district attorney, may initiate an ex parte proceeding before the presiding judge of the superior court. The county counsel or district attorney may file an affidavit in the proceeding in opposition to, or in support of, the assessors, auditor-controllers, sheriffs, or elected treasurer-tax collectors position.
(c) The presiding superior court judge that determines in any ex parte proceeding that a conflict actually exists, must, if requested by one of the parties, also rule whether representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is appropriate. The factors to be considered in this determination of whether an ethical wall should be created are: (1) equal representation, (2) level of support, (3) access to resources, (4) zealous representation, or (5) any other consideration that relates to proper representation.
(d) If a court determines that the action brought by the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector is frivolous and in bad faith, the assessors office, auditor-controllers office, sheriffs office, or elected treasurer-tax collectors office shall pay their own legal costs and all costs incurred in the action by the opposing party. As used in this section, bad faith and frivolous have the meaning given in Section 128.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(e) If the presiding judge determines that a conflict of interest does exist, and that representation by the county counsel or district attorney through the creation of an ethical wall is inappropriate, the board of supervisors shall immediately employ legal counsel selected by the presiding judge to assist the assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector. The assessor, the auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector may recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. The board of supervisors may also separately recommend specific legal counsel for selection by the presiding judge. When selecting counsel pursuant to this section, the presiding judge shall consider the counsel compensation rates prevailing in the county for similar work.
(f) As used in this section, conflict of interest means a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 1.7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, as construed for public attorneys.
(g) This section shall also apply to any matter brought after an assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector leaves office if the matter giving rise to the need for independent legal counsel was within the scope of the duties of the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector while in office, and the assessor, auditor-controller, sheriff, or elected treasurer-tax collector would have been authorized under this section to request the appointment of independent legal counsel.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 2.