Brief

This file tracks the City's response to a federal lawsuit filed by Bird Global, Inc., a scooter-sharing company, following its bankruptcy filing in Florida. In February 2024, Council held a closed session and adopted recommendations from the City Attorney regarding litigation strategy. In October 2024, Council approved a motion authorizing settlement negotiations. In February 2025, Council adopted an amended motion reaffirming the settlement approach. The matter remains pending in Budget and Finance Committee awaiting further City Attorney guidance.

Full summary

Bird Global, Inc. is a dockless scooter company that filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida in 2023. The case against the City of Los Angeles stems from liabilities associated with the operation of Bird scooters on City streets. This file tracks the City's formal legal response, including authorization for litigation strategy and settlement. In February 2024, the City Attorney submitted a confidential report requesting a closed session to discuss potential litigation strategy. Council met in closed session on February 28, 2024, instructed legal counsel, and adopted the City Attorney's recommendations in open session. By October 2024, the focus shifted to settlement. The Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee reviewed the matter in closed session on October 9, 2024, and recommended approval. Council then voted to adopt a motion by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, authorizing the City Attorney's Office to expend up to $1,000,000 to settle the case. The motion directed the Controller to transfer $1,000,000 from the Liability Claims Fund's Miscellaneous Liability Payouts account into the Transportation Liability Payouts account, from which a demand could be drawn payable to Bird Rides Inc. in an amount up to $1,000,000. In February 2025, Councilmembers Harris-Dawson and Yaroslavsky introduced a special motion to amend and reaffirm the settlement authorization, which Council adopted 14-0-1 on February 26, 2025. The City Attorney submitted additional closed-session documentation in January 2026, indicating the litigation remains ongoing. The Budget and Finance Committee scheduled the matter for a September 2026 hearing to consider that updated guidance.

Activity (19)

• 2026-09-11 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 15, 2026.
• 2026-01-27 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-01-23 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated January 23, 2026.
• 2025-02-28 Council action final.
• 2025-02-27 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is March 10, 2025.
• 2025-02-26 Council adopted Special Motion 2 (Harris-Dawson - Yaroslavsky) as amended by Special Motion 2A (Yaroslavsky - Hutt), forthwith.
• 2025-02-26 Motion introduced in Council.
• 2024-10-25 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is November 4, 2024.
• 2024-10-23 Council adopted Motion (Blumenfield - McOsker) in Open Session, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2024-10-18 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on October 23, 2024.
• 2024-10-09 Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee considered this matter in Closed Session on October 9, 2024.
• 2024-10-04 Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 9, 2024.
• 2024-10-01 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee.
• 2024-10-01 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R24-0406, dated September 26, 2024, relative to relative to a request for closed session to settlement in the case of Bird Global, Inc., et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al.
• 2024-03-01 Council action final.
• 2024-02-28 Council discussed matter in Closed Session and instructed legal counsel with respect to subject litigation; and, adopted the recommendation contained in Confidential City Attorney Report No. R24-0090 in Open Session, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2024-02-27 City Attorney document(s) referred to Council.
• 2024-02-26 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R24-0090, dated February 26, 2024, relative to a request for closed session to discuss potential litigation in the matter of Bird Global, Inc.
• 2024-02-23 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 28, 2024.

Documents (12)

• 2026-01-23 Report from City Attorney · report
• 2025-02-28 Mayor Concurrence/Council Action · other
• 2025-02-26 Special Motion 2A (Yaroslavsky - Hutt) · other
• 2025-02-26 Special Motion 2 (Harris-Dawson - Yaroslavsky) · other
• 2024-10-25 Mayor Concurrence/Council Action · other
• 2024-10-23 Motion (Blumenfield - McOsker) · motion
• 2024-10-23 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-10-09 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-09-26 Report from City Attorney · report
• 2024-03-01 Council Action · council_action
• 2024-02-28 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-02-26 Report from City Attorney · report

Council votes (1)

• 2025-02-26 Adopted Forthwith — 14-0-1 · Regular