Bill Text: CA AB195 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Local initiative measures: ballot printing specifications.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-07-24 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 105, Statutes of 2017. [AB195 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB195-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 14, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 195

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Introduced by Assembly Member Obernolte

January 19, 2017

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An act to amend Section 13119 of the Elections Code, relating to elections.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 195, as amended, Obernolte. Local initiative measures: ballot printing specifications.

Existing law requires that the ballots used when voting upon a proposed county, city, or district ordinance submitted to the voters as an initiative measure have printed on them a specified text relating to statement describing the nature of the proposed ordinance and dictates placement of that text. ordinance.

This bill would extend these ballot requirements to any measure submitted to the voters that is proposed by a local governing body or submitted to the voters as an initiative or referendum measure. The bill would require the statement describing the measure to be a true and impartial synopsis of the proposed measure, as specified. By expanding the local measures to which the ballot requirements apply, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 13119 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

13119.

 (a) The ballots used when voting upon a measure proposed by a local governing body or submitted to the voters as an initiative or referendum measure pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 9000), including an ordinance, resolution, or a measure authorizing the issuance of bonds or the incurrence of debt, shall have printed on them the words “Shall the measure (stating the nature thereof) be adopted?” Opposite the statement of the measure to be voted on, and to its right, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines, with voting squares. If a voter stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “Yes,” his or her vote shall be counted in favor of the adoption of the measure. If he or she stamps a cross (+) in the voting square after the printed word “No,” his or her vote shall be counted against its adoption.

(b) If the proposed measure imposes a tax or raises the rate of a tax, the ballot shall include in the statement of the measure to be voted on the amount of money to be raised annually and the rate and duration of the tax to be levied.

(c) The statement of the measure shall be a true and impartial synopsis of the purpose of the proposed measure, and shall be in language that is neither argumentative nor likely to create prejudice for or against the measure.

(c)

(d) For purposes of this section, “local governing body” means the governing body of a city, county, city and county, including a charter city or charter county, or district, including a school district.

SEC. 2.

 If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.