Nothing in this chapter is intended to limit the liability of a surety pursuant to any other statute. This section is declaratory of, and not a change in, existing law.
§ 996.475.Liability of Surety Pursuant to Other Statute Not Limited By Chapter
Title 14. Of Miscellaneous Provisions · Chapter 2. Bonds and Undertakings · Article 14. Liability of Principal and Sureties · Enacted 1984 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 996.475 clarifies that nothing in this chapter limits a surety's liability under any other statute, and states that this clarification is declaratory of existing law rather than a change to it.
Full Text of § 996.475
Plain-English Summary
This short section heads off a possible misreading of § 996.470's liability cap. The chapter's general limit on a surety's aggregate liability to the bond amount isn't meant to override liability a different statute independently imposes on that surety.
The Legislature made clear this was a clarification, not a new rule, the section is declaratory of existing law, not a change in it, so it applies to bonds and liabilities that predate its enactment just as it applies going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does § 996.470's cap on surety liability override liability imposed by other statutes?
No. Section 996.475 confirms this chapter doesn't limit liability a surety owes under any other statute.
Is § 996.475 a new rule or a clarification of existing law?
A clarification. The statute says it's declaratory of, and not a change in, existing law.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 538, Sec. 33.3.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: surety liability other statutes not limiteddeclaratory statute surety liability california