A Central Valley lawmaker says he’ll attempt to do something that has eluded his colleagues and legal groups for years: make pro bono service mandatory in California.

Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, has introduced legislation that would require most active lawyers in the state to provide at least 25 hours of free legal services each year. Attorneys could opt out of the requirement—if they pay $500 to the state bar’s legal aid program.

Adam Gray