Special Motion to Strike under CCP Section 425.16 (Anti-SLAPP motion)
26CV000157: M.A. STEINER CONSTRUCTION, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION vs HONEY LAKE VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, A LOCAL AGENCY, et al. 08/13/2026 Hearing on Special Motion to Strike under CCP Section 425.16 (Anti-SLAPP motion) in Department 16D
Tentative Ruling
NOTICE:
Consistent with Local Rule 1.06(B), any party requesting oral argument on any matter on this calendar must comply with the following procedure:
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The Department 16D Zoom Link is https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16146506749 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 161 4650 6749. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
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26CV000157: M.A. STEINER CONSTRUCTION, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION vs HONEY LAKE VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, A LOCAL AGENCY, et al. 08/13/2026 Hearing on Special Motion to Strike under CCP Section 425.16 (Anti-SLAPP motion) in Department 16D
Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will forward the form to the Court Reporters Office and an official reporter will be provided.
TENTATIVE RULING:
The Notice of Motion states the incorrect address for the hearing on this motion. Department 53 has moved to Department 16D at the Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Courthouse at 500 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Moving counsel shall notify opposing counsel immediately.
Defendant J-U-B Engineers, Inc.s (Defendant) Special Motion to Strike Plaintiff M.A. Steiner Construction, Inc.s Complaint under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 (Anti-SLAPP Motion) is STAYED as follows.
Defendant filed the instant Special Motion to Strike on February 20, 2026, seeking to strike the Complaint in its entirety and the fourth cause of action for intentional interference with contract as to Defendant and Co-Defendant Ben Volk.
While the motion was pending, Defendant Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District filed a motion to transfer venue to Lassen County under Code of Civil Procedure section 397, subdivision (a). That motion is scheduled for hearing before the Presiding Judge on September 11, 2026. (See Local Rule 1.05(B) [All motions for change of venue in civil, limited civil and criminal actions shall be heard by the Presiding Judge or his/her designee.].)
Under California law, the filing of a motion to transfer venue operates as a supersedeas stay of proceedings and must be disposed of before any other steps can be taken. (Moore v. Powell (1977) 70 Cal.App.3d 583, 587 [fn. omitted].) Accordingly, the Court cannot consider Defendants Anti-SLAPP Motion until the Presiding Judge decides the motion to transfer venue and only if such disposition results in maintaining venue in
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
26CV000157: M.A. STEINER CONSTRUCTION, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION vs HONEY LAKE VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, A LOCAL AGENCY, et al. 08/13/2026 Hearing on Special Motion to Strike under CCP Section 425.16 (Anti-SLAPP motion) in Department 16D
Sacramento County.
Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, subdivision (f), states that a special motion to strike shall be scheduled by the clerk of the court for a hearing not more than 30 days after the service of the motion unless the docket conditions of the court require a later hearing. (Emphasis added.) The court finds that the filing of the motion to transfer venue motion comprises such docket conditions. (See cf. Morin v. Rosenthal (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 673, 682.)
For the stated reasons, the hearing on Defendants Anti-SLAPP motion is stayed. Defendant may reschedule the motion for hearing in this department after the motion to transfer venue has been decided (if it has not resulted in transfer of venue) by bringing an ex parte application to specially reset a new hearing date and time and filing/serving an amended notice of motion.
This minute order is effective immediately. No formal order or other notice is required. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1019.5; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1312.)