Bill Text: CA AB481 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign disclosure.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-09-24 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 496, Statutes of 2012. [AB481 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB481-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 481	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gordon

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2011

   An act to amend Section 101 of, and to add Sections 101.5, 336.7,
and 357.5 to, the Elections Code, relating to elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 481, as introduced, Gordon. Petitions: signature gatherers.
   Under existing law, an initiative petition must contain specified
language advising the public of its right to ask whether the person
circulating the petition is a paid signature gatherer or a volunteer.

   This bill instead would require an initiative, referendum, or
recall petition to reflect, in specified language, whether it is
being circulated by a paid circulator or by a volunteer.
   This bill would also require an individual who receives
compensation to circulate an initiative, referendum, or recall
petition to wear a badge stating, in no smaller than 30-point font,
that he or she is a "paid" signature gatherer. The bill would require
the individual circulating the initiative, referendum, or recall
petition to wear the badge on his or her chest in clear view of all
individuals signing or asked to sign the petition.
   This bill would also define "volunteer" and "paid circulator."
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 101 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   101.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any state or
local initiative  , referendum, or recall  petition required
to be signed by voters shall contain in 12-point type, prior to that
portion of the petition for voters' signatures, printed names, and
residence addresses, the following language:

   (a) If the petition is circulated by a paid circulator the phrase
"PAID CIRCULATOR" shall appear in 24-point type above the following
language which shall appear in 12-point type:



   "NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC


THIS PETITION  MAY BE   IS BEING 
CIRCULATED BY A  PAID SIGNATURE GATHERER OR A VOLUNTEER. YOU
HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK   PERSON WHO IS BEING PAID TO
COLLECT SIGNATURES  ."

   (b) If the petition is being circulated by a volunteer the phrase
"VOLUNTEER CIRCULATOR" shall appear in 24-point type above the
following language which shall appear in 12-point type:

 

   "NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

    
   THIS PETITION IS BEING CIRCULATED BY A VOLUNTEER." 
  SEC. 2.  Section 101.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   101.5.  (a) An individual who receives compensation to circulate
an initiative, referendum, or recall petition shall identify himself
or herself as a paid signature gatherer by wearing a badge stating
"PAID SIGNATURE GATHERER."
   (b) The individual circulating an initiative, referendum, or
recall petition shall wear the badge required by subdivision (a) on
his or her chest in clear view of all individuals signing or asked to
sign the petition.
   (c) The print on the badge shall be no smaller than 30-point font.

  SEC. 3.  Section 336.7 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   336.7.  "Paid circulator," for the purpose of circulating an
initiative, referendum, or recall petition, means any person who is
compensated in any manner for collecting petition signatures to
qualify a state or local initiative, referendum, or recall measure.
  SEC. 4.  Section 357.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   357.5.  "Volunteer," for the purpose of circulating an initiative,
referendum, or recall petition, means a person who is not a paid
circulator.