CA SB71

Requires courts to award reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs to prevailing parties in civil actions enforcing solid waste handling franchises, contracts, licenses, or permits

Plaintiffs must first provide written notice to defendants demanding illegal action cease and request approval from the relevant local agency before filing suit to qualify for fee awards

Local agencies must post all notices and approval requests on their public websites within three days of receipt

Expands civil enforcement against unauthorized removal of segregated recyclable materials to include persons who knowingly and willfully participate in violations, authorizing treble damages or civil penalties up to $2,000 for first violations and $5,000 for subsequent violations within 12 months

Requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to report annually to the Legislature on the number of filed actions and their dispositions, with these provisions set to sunset January 1, 2022