Bill Text: CA AB2220 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Elections: statewide ballot pamphlet.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2012-09-30 - Consideration of Governor's veto pending. [AB2220 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB2220-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2220	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2012

   An act to amend Section 9085 of the Elections Code, and to amend
Section 88002.5 of the Government Code, relating to elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2220, as introduced, Gatto. Elections: statewide ballot
pamphlet.
   The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires the Legislative Analyst
to prepare an impartial analysis of each initiative measure to appear
on the ballot, and provides that the Legislative Analyst is solely
responsible for determining the content of the analysis. The act
requires the Legislative Analyst to prepare an impartial fiscal
analysis of a measure that is included in the ballot pamphlet stating
whether the measure would increase or decrease any revenue or cost
to state or local government. Existing law also requires the
Legislative Analyst to prepare for inclusion in the ballot pamphlet a
summary statement regarding the general meaning and effect of "yes"
and "no" votes on each state measure.
   The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative statute, generally
provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's
purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house and compliance with specified
procedural requirements. The act also provides that, notwithstanding
this requirement, the Legislature may without restriction amend
specified provisions of the act to add to the ballot pamphlet
information regarding candidates or other information.
   This bill would, except as specified, require, if a fiscal
analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst determines that a
measure would provide an increase in revenues to fund new or existing
programs, that specified language be added at the end of the "yes"
and "no" summary statement in the ballot pamphlet advising that,
unless changed by a future measure approved by the voters, the
initiative would forever dedicate the revenue it generates to
programs identified in the initiative by its backers and that these
revenues would not be available to meet other responsibilities of the
state not identified in the initiative. The bill also would contain
a finding and declaration of the Legislature that the bill permits or
requires additional information to be included in the ballot
pamphlet in accordance with the provision of the Political Reform Act
of 1974 described above that authorizes the Legislature to add
information to the ballot pamphlet.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 9085 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   9085.  (a) The ballot pamphlet shall also contain a section,
located near the front of the pamphlet, that provides a concise
summary of the general meaning and effect of "yes" and "no" votes on
each state measure.
   (b) The summary statements required by this section shall be
prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not
intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The
Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the
contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for
public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 9092. 
   (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an initiative
measure qualifies for the ballot and the analysis prepared pursuant
to Section 9087 determines that the initiative measure would provide
for an increase in revenues to fund new or existing programs, the
Legislative Analyst shall add a paragraph at the end of the summary
statement prepared pursuant to this section, stating as follows:
 
   "Unless changed by a future measure approved by the voters, this
initiative would forever dedicate the revenue it generates to
programs identified in the initiative by its backers, and these
revenues would not be available to meet other responsibilities of the
state not identified in the initiative."  
   (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the measure provides that the
increase in revenues is to be deposited without restriction into the
General Fund commencing at a future date after its enactment, or if
the initiative measure allows the Legislature to reallocate the
increase in revenues. 
  SEC. 2.  Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:

   88002.5.  (a) The ballot pamphlet shall also contain a section,
located near the front of the pamphlet, that provides a concise
summary of the general meaning and effect of "yes" and "no" votes on
each state measure.
   (b) The summary statements required by this section shall be
prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not
intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The
Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the
contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for
public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006. 
   (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an initiative
measure qualifies for the ballot and the analysis prepared pursuant
to Section 88003 determines that the initiative measure would provide
for an increase in revenues to fund new or existing programs, the
Legislative Analyst shall add a paragraph at the end of the summary
statement prepared pursuant to this section, stating as follows:
 
   "Unless changed by a future measure approved by the voters, this
initiative would forever dedicate the revenue it generates to
programs identified in the initiative by its backers, and these
revenues would not be available to meet other responsibilities of the
state not identified in the initiative."  
   (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the measure provides that the
increase in revenues is to be deposited without restriction into the
General Fund commencing at a future date after its enactment, or if
the initiative measure allows the Legislature to reallocate the
increase in revenues. 
  SEC. 3.  The Legislature finds and declares that this act permits
or requires the inclusion of additional information on the ballot
pamphlet in accordance with Section 88007 of the Government Code.