Bill to Address Arbitration Fees and Costs Invoicing

Senator Bob Wieckowski D-Fremont) amended his Senate Bill 762 to deal with arbitration fees and costs. The bill would amend Sections 1281.97 and 1281.98 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Section One of the bill would amend CCP Section 1281.97 to specify that, after an employee or consumer meets the filing requirements necessary to initiate an arbitration, the arbitration provider is required to immediately provide an invoice for any fees and costs required before the arbitration can proceed to all of the parties to the arbitration. In addition, the bill would require the invoice to be provided in its entirety and state the full amount owed and the date that payment is due. And, the invoice would be required to be sent to all parties by the same means on the same day.

Section Two of the bill would amend CCP Section 1281.98 to require the arbitration provider to provide an invoice for any fees and costs required for the arbitration proceeding to continue to all of the parties to the arbitration. In addition, the invoice would need to be provided in its entirety, state the full amount owed and the date that payment is due, and be sent to all parties by the same means on the same day. And, any extension of time for the due date must be agreed upon by all parties.

The bill is expected to be heard later this month in the Senate policy committee.