Bill Text: CA AB644 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Campaign finance: advisory election.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-03 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB644 Detail]
Download: California-2013-AB644-Introduced.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 644 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wieckowski
FEBRUARY 20, 2013
An act to submit an advisory question to the voters relating to
campaign finance, calling an election, to take effect immediately.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 644, as introduced, Wieckowski. Campaign finance: advisory
election.
The bill would call an election for the purpose of placing before
the voters of the state an advisory question asking whether the
members of the Congress of the United States representing California
should propose and support, and the California Legislature should
ratify, an amendment to the United States Constitution that reverses
the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections
Commission and limits campaign contributions and spending, to ensure
that all citizens, regardless of wealth, may express their views to
one another and their government on a level playing field.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an act calling an election.
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. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) Large campaign contributions to political candidates create
the potential for corruption and the appearance of corruption.
(b) Large campaign contributions made to influence election
outcomes allow wealthy individuals, corporations, and special
interest groups to exercise a disproportionate level of influence
over the political process.
(c) The rising costs of campaigning for political office prevent
qualified citizens from running for political office.
(d) Because of early voting in California timely notice of
independent expenditures is essential for informing the electorate.
(e) In recent years the advent of significant spending on
electioneering communications has frustrated the purpose of campaign
finance requirements.
(f) Independent research has demonstrated that the vast majority
of televised electioneering communications go beyond issue discussion
to express electoral advocacy.
(g) Political contributions from corporate treasuries are not an
indication of popular support for the corporation's political ideas
and can unfairly influence the outcome of California elections.
(h) The interests of the public are best served by limiting
campaign contributions, establishing campaign spending limits,
providing for full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions,
independent expenditures, and funding of electioneering
communications, and strong enforcement of campaign finance
requirements.
SEC. 2. (a) Notwithstanding Section 9040 of the Elections Code,
the following advisory question is placed before the voters of this
state at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election:
"Shall the members of the Congress of the United States
representing California propose and support, and the California
Legislature ratify, an amendment to the United States Constitution
that reverses the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v.
Federal Elections Commission (2010) 558 U.S. 310, and limits campaign
contributions and spending, to ensure that all citizens, regardless
of wealth, may express their views to one another and their
government on a level playing field?"
(b) The provisions of the Elections Code that apply to the
preparation of ballot measures and ballot materials at a statewide
election apply to the measure submitted pursuant to this section.
SEC. 3. This act calls an election within the meaning of Article
IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.
