The Attorney General prepares a circulating title and summary of the chief purpose and points of a proposed initiative measure. Proposed initiative measures are cleared for circulation on the day the circulating title and summary is sent to the initiative proponent(s). No petition may be circulated for signatures before it has been cleared to do so by the Attorney General.

Please note: Counties have 8 working days after a proposed initiative measure's circulation deadline (Elections Code section 9030(b)) to notify the Secretary of State's Office if any petition signatures were received. If no signatures are submitted, a proposed initiative measure will fail on the 9th working day after its circulation deadline.

1951. (23-0009)
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/14/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/12/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): James J. Cowie

Amends California Constitution to require the state and its school districts to “provide all public school students with high-quality public schools,” the requirements of which will depend on how the measure is implemented by the Legislature, state agencies, and public schools (including charter schools), and interpreted by court decisions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effects on the state or public schools because the measure does not require any change to current policies or programs. Depending on how the measure is legally interpreted by the courts and implemented by the state and public schools, there could be fiscal effects that are unknown and highly uncertain. (23-0009)

1952. (23-0010)
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/14/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/12/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): James J. Cowie

Amends California Constitution to provide that all “school-age children have the right to attend high-quality public schools,” the requirements of which will depend on how the measure is implemented by the Legislature, state agencies, and public schools (including charter schools), and interpreted by court decisions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effects on the state or public schools because the measure does not require any change to current policies or programs. Depending on how the measure is legally interpreted by the courts and implemented by the state and public schools, there could be fiscal effects that are unknown and highly uncertain. (23-0010)

1953. (23-0011)
LIMITS STATE’S ABILITY TO SET STATEWIDE LAND-USE AND HOUSING POLICY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/18/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/18/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): John Heath, Peggy Huang, Jovita Mendoza, Dennis Richards, Susan Candell, Anita Enander, Kalimah Priforce

Provides that local laws automatically override conflicting state land-use and zoning laws (including affordable housing laws), unless such state laws address specified statewide concerns. For state laws enacted after 2016 to prevail over local laws, they must include specific findings of statewide concern, which may require recent laws to be re-enacted or amended. Prohibits state from changing, granting, or denying funding to local governments based on their implementation of this measure. Repeals Article XXXIV of the California Constitution, which requires local voter approval for publicly funded low-rent housing projects. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Fiscal effects of the measure depend on future decisions by the cities and counties and therefore are unknown. (23-0011)

1954. (23-0012)
INCREASES STATE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION GOALS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/18/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/18/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Micah J. Perlin

Increases state’s target for reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 95% below 1990 levels by 2045 (instead of 85%). Removes current requirement that state use Cap-and-Trade Program (which sets overall limits and allows producers to buy and sell emissions credits) to achieve 2030 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production and refining. Instead, requires regulations that achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction to meet target. Allows local regulators to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources (e.g., refineries, factories, power plants) more strictly than the state. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs, totaling billions of dollars annually, to meet new greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Increased local government costs of an unknown magnitude to comply with new regulations adopted as a result of this measure. Potential reduction in various annual state and local government revenues of an uncertain amount depending on how the measure’s implementation impacts the oil and gas sector. (23-0012)

1955. (23-0013A1)
AUTHORIZES BONDS AND CREATES STATE AGENCY FOR PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY RESEARCH. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/22/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/20/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Jeannie Fontana

Creates state agency to regulate “psychedelic medicines” (defined as substances that “produce altered states of consciousness,” including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, cannabis). Requires agency provide funding for research, development, and delivery of psychedelic medicines and therapies for treatment of mental health conditions and health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Establishes constitutional “right to conduct research” using psychedelic medicines. Authorizes $5 billion in state general obligation bonds for agency funding, with $500 million annual limit. Appropriates money from General Fund to repay bonds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Average state costs of about $220 million each year for 30 years, with costs totaling $6.6 billion over the period. (23-0013A1)

1956. (23-0014A1)
PROHIBITS NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 10/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/03/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Michele Prichard, Kassia Siegel

Prohibits most new or modified oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of specified locations, including housing, schools, daycares, parks, healthcare facilities, community resource centers, detention facilities, and businesses open to the public. Requires existing wells within 3,200 feet to meet specified health, safety, and environmental requirements (e.g., light, sound, and dust pollution control). Requires existing operators in these areas to submit a leak detection and response plan, and to offer water quality testing to property owners and tenants at least 30 days before drilling. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: If voters uphold the restrictions on certain oil drilling permits subject to referendum, this measure generally would not have any additional fiscal effects. If voters reject the restrictions on certain oil drilling subject to referendum, this measure likely would (1) decrease state revenues by tens of millions of dollars annually, (2) decrease revenues for local governments by tens of millions of dollars annually, and (3) increase state costs in the low tens of millions of dollars annually. (23-0014A1)

1957. (23-0015A1)
INCREASES REQUIREMENTS ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATURE WHEN RESPONDING TO RECORDS REQUESTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 10/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/03/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Jerry Flanagan

Amends California Public Records Act and Legislative Open Records Act to:

  • Increase types of records subject to public disclosure;
  • Restrict agencies’ use of existing legal privileges and justifications to withhold records;
  • Limit private parties’ ability to prevent disclosure of records concerning them, including requiring a $50,000 bond to pay requestors’ litigation costs;
  • Authorize new lawsuits and appeals by requestors, and court sanctions, against agencies;
  • Set new deadlines to disclose records, regardless of number requested;
  • Require retention of records for five years;
  • Require legislators to disclose public events, fundraising events, and lobbyist meetings.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased net state and local government costs, likely reaching over $1 billion annually, to meet new time frames and requirements for providing public access to government and legislative records and to retain such records for five years. (23-0015A1)

1958. (23-0016)
REQUIRES GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 10/19/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/16/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Carl DeMaio

Amends California Constitution to:

  • Require voters to present driver’s license or other government-issued identification card at polls;
  • Require voters to provide a matching signature (as already required by state law) and last three digits of government-issued identification number with mail-in ballot;
  • Require counties to maintain accurate voter registration lists (as already required by state and federal law);
  • Prohibit counties from mailing ballot if they “obtain information that suggests” a voter no longer resides at registered address; and
  • Require counties to report in-person voting wait times after elections.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: One-time state and local government costs in the millions of dollars to prepare for implementation of the measure. Increased annual state and local government costs, potentially in the tens of millions of dollars, to administer elections. (23-0016)

1959. (23-0017A1)
ALLOWS FELONY CHARGES AND INCREASES SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN DRUG AND THEFT CRIMES. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 10/26/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/23/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
(25% of Signatures Reached 01/24/2024 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Thomas W. Hiltachk

  • Allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs, including fentanyl, and for thefts under $950—both currently chargeable only as misdemeanors—with two prior drug or two prior theft convictions, as applicable. Defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment can have charges dismissed.
  • Increases sentences for other specified drug and theft crimes.
  • Increased prison sentences may reduce savings that currently fund mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 schools, and crime victims; any remaining savings may be used for new felony treatment program.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state criminal justice system costs potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to an increase in the state prison population. Some of these costs could be offset by reductions in state spending on local mental health and substance use services, truancy and dropout prevention, and victim services due to requirements in current law. Increased local criminal justice system costs potentially in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to increased court-related workload and a net increase in the number of people in county jail and under county community supervision. (23-0017A1)

1960. (23-0018A1)
REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE IN A STUDENT’S EXPRESSED GENDER, WITHOUT EXCEPTION FOR STUDENT’S SAFETY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Clare Erin Friday, Jonathan Zachreson

Requires K-12 schools to notify parents whenever a student under age 18 asks to be treated as a gender different from what is listed on their school records—for example, by requesting to use an alternate name or pronouns, or use facilities for a different gender. Does not provide exception if student requests confidentiality or where disclosure would endanger their safety; includes exception only for certain communications with school counselors. Prohibits schools from recognizing the student’s expressed gender without written parental authorization. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Minor administrative costs to schools, which could range from no effect to several millions of dollars initially, depending on whether the measure can be legally implemented. (23-0018A1)

1961. (23-0019A1)
ELIMINATES STUDENTS’ RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

Repeals 2013 state law allowing students to participate in school activities and use school facilities consistent with their gender identity. Requires public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to:

  • prohibit transgender female students in grades 7 and higher from participating in female sports; and
  • restrict use of gender-segregated facilities (e.g., bathrooms, locker rooms) only to persons assigned that gender at birth.

For purposes of the measure’s restrictions, defines “male” and “female” exclusively by reference to certain reproductive traits. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Minor administrative and workload costs to schools, colleges, and universities, which could range from no effect to a few millions of dollars initially, depending on whether the measure can be legally implemented. If legally implemented, there could be potential, but unknown, cost pressures related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in schools, colleges, or universities being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0019A1)

1962. (23-0020A1)
PROHIBITS GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

Prohibits health care providers from providing transgender patients under 18 with medical care to affirm a gender identity that differs from the minor’s gender assigned at birth. Prohibits such treatment even if parents consent or it is medically recommended for the minor’s mental or physical wellbeing. Allows limited exceptions if minor: (1) has certain narrowly defined medical conditions; (2) began a continuous course of treatment before January 1, 2025; or (3) wishes to reverse prior treatment. Health care providers who violate the prohibition could lose their license or certification. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: To the extent the measure can be legally implemented, potentially relatively minor savings up to the millions of dollars annually from no longer paying for prohibited services for individuals under the age of 18. These savings could be affected by many other impacts, such as individuals seeking treatment later in life. Potential, but unknown, cost pressure to state and local governments related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in providers being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0020A1)

1963. (23-0021A1)
RESTRICTS SPENDING BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MEETING SPECIFIED CRITERIA. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/03/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/01/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
(25% of Signatures Reached 12/12/2023 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Thomas Bannon

Requires certain health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care. Applies only to health care providers that: spent over $100,000,000 in any ten-year period on anything other than direct patient care; and operated multifamily housing with over 500 high-severity health and safety violations. Penalizes noncompliance by revoking health care licenses and tax-exempt status. Permanently authorizes state to negotiate Medi-Cal drug prices on statewide basis. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased costs to state government, potentially up to the millions of dollars annually, to review entities’ compliance with the measure and enforce the measure’s provisions. These costs would be paid for by fees created under the measure. Uncertain fiscal impacts to state and local government health programs, depending on how the affected entities respond to the measure’s requirements. (23-0021A1)

1964. (23-0022)
ADDS ONE-SEMESTER PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/09/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/07/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
(25% of Signatures Reached 12/12/2023 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Christopher Lee Kaufman, Timothy J. Ranzetta

Adds one-semester personal finance course to existing graduation requirements for public high school students (including those attending charter schools) beginning with the graduating class in 2030. Requires schools to begin offering the course by the 2026-27 school year. This course would be in addition to currently required one-semester economics course, which may—but is not required to—include personal finance curriculum. Students may fulfill new requirement by completing an existing University of California-approved personal finance course, or a new course approved by a school’s governing body. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential increased costs to schools that could reach in the high tens of millions of dollars annually in the first few years and then likely decline over time. Costs could be related to additional teachers, curriculum development, and instructional materials and would depend on how the measure is implemented. (23-0022)

1965. (23-0023A1)
INCREASES PRISON SENTENCES AND REQUIRES WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE HOMICIDE CHARGES FOR DISTRIBUTING CERTAIN DRUGS RESULTING IN DEATH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/09/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/07/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Matthew Capelouto

Creates new mandatory minimum of 10- to 12-year prison sentence—in addition to possible homicide charges—for distributing certain opiates that cause a user’s death, and makes such offense subject to enhanced penalties under Three Strikes Law. Requires courts to advise individuals convicted of drug offenses for specified drugs (including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and PCP) that they can be charged with homicide in the future if someone dies from taking a drug they provide. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state criminal justice system costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to an increase in the state prison population. Reduced county criminal justice system costs likely in the millions of dollars annually, primarily due to a reduction in the number of people in county jail and under county community supervision. (23-0023A1)

1966. (23-0024A1)
PROVIDES PERMANENT FUNDING FOR MEDI-CAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/13/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/13/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
(25% of Signatures Reached 01/12/2024 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Christina Orr, Dustin Corcoran, Jodi Hicks

Makes permanent the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, currently set to expire in 2026, which the state uses to pay for health care services for low-income families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other groups covered by the Medi-Cal program. Requires revenues to be used only for specified Medi-Cal services, including primary and specialty care, emergency care, family planning, mental health, and prescription drugs. Prohibits revenues from being used to replace other existing Medi-Cal funding. Caps administrative expenses and requires independent audits of programs receiving funding. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Uncertain overall impact on state revenues and spending, including reduced legislative flexibility over the use of MCO tax funds. The extent of this impact depends on whether the measure would result in different state decisions around imposing, structuring, and spending proceeds from the managed care organization tax than in the absence of the measure. (23-0024A1)

1967. (23-0025A1)
LIMITS ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGING NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION. CAPS DEVELOPMENT FEES ON NEW HOUSING. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/13/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/13/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Stephen Hilton

Prohibits private parties from filing lawsuits challenging new housing construction based on alleged non-compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Authorizes only district attorneys to file such lawsuits, as well as the Attorney General if the project is located in multiple counties. Caps fees that local and state agencies may impose on builders for construction of new homes and related infrastructure. Caps do not apply to regulatory costs authorized by statute, school district fees, bond repayments, or costs of providing utility service and roadway access to new homes. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Reduced local government development fee revenue, likely at least hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and potentially exceeding $1 billion per year. Uncertain, but potentially significant, savings to state and local governments as a result of lower project costs due to fewer CEQA lawsuits being filed against public projects. (23-0025A1)

1968. (23-0026A1)
REQUIRES STATE FUNDING OF RELIGIOUS AND NONRELIGIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/17/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/15/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Kevin McNamee, Marion A. Marshall, Maria Flores, Cecilia Iglesias, Benito Bernal

Requires state to provide yearly voucher payments ($17,000 initially, adjusted annually) into Education Savings Accounts for California residents in grades TK-12 attending religious and nonreligious private schools anywhere in the United States. Payments will come from General Fund and property tax revenues currently allocated to public schools (including charter schools). Eliminates constitutional prohibition on state funding of religious and nonreligious private schools. Prohibits state from requiring certain curriculum, disciplinary, or teacher credentialing policies as condition of funding. Creates privately appointed board to distribute payments of public funds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs, likely ranging from $6.3 billion to $10 billion per year, to provide funding for students currently enrolled in private schools. The state could pay for these costs with revenues currently reserved for public schools (or other programs in the state budget). To the extent public school students shift to private schools, the state would have additional costs—likely at least several billion dollars annually—that would be offset by lower spending on public schools. Over time, state costs for public school facilities probably would decrease by a couple hundred million dollars per year. Public schools would experience reductions in state funding and some federal and local funding—as well as reductions in various costs—based on decreases in their enrollment. All of these effects assume the state can legally implement the program to its full extent. (23-0026A1)

1969. (23-0027A2)
RESTRICTS RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/29/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/28/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

  • Requires public and private schools and colleges to: restrict gender-segregated facilities like bathrooms to persons assigned that gender at birth; prohibit transgender female students (grades 7+) from participating in female sports. Repeals law allowing students to participate in activities and use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
  • Requires schools to notify parents whenever a student under 18 asks to be treated as a gender differing from school records without exception for student safety.
  • Prohibits gender-affirming health care for transgender patients under 18, even if parents consent or treatment is medically recommended.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potentially minor savings in state and local health care costs of up to millions of dollars annually from no longer paying for prohibited services for individuals under the age of 18. These savings could be affected by many other impacts, such as individuals seeking treatment later in life. Minor administrative and workload costs to schools, colleges, and universities, up to several millions of dollars initially. Potential, but unknown, cost pressures to state and local governments related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in federally funded schools, colleges, universities, or health care providers being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0027A2)

1970. (23-0028)
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 12/21/23 | Circulation Deadline: 06/18/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): James J. Cowie

Amends California Constitution to require the state and its school districts to “provide all public school students with high-quality public schools,” the requirements of which will depend on how the measure is implemented by the Legislature, state agencies, and public schools (including charter schools), and interpreted by court decisions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effects on the state or public schools because the measure does not require any change to current policies or programs. Depending on how the measure is legally interpreted by the courts and implemented by the state and public schools, there could be fiscal effects that are unknown and highly uncertain. (23-0028)

1971. (23-0029A1)
EXPANDS STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 12/27/23 | Circulation Deadline: 06/24/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
(25% of Signatures Reached 01/26/2024 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Ann-Louise Kuhns

Expands California Children’s Services Program, which provides health care to low-middle income children under 21 with specified medical conditions, by requiring state to provide:

  • financial assistance to families not eligible for Program services for certain out-of-pocket treatment costs for covered conditions;
  • new annual grants to hospitals that provide Program services;
  • increased payment rates for physicians that are at least the federal Medicare rate; and
  • coverage for additional medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, certain infectious diseases, and cerebral palsy that are currently covered only by regulation, not by statute.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: State General Fund cost potentially ranging in the hundreds of millions of dollars to around a billion dollars each year to assist families with the cost of health care for children with qualifying serious and chronic diseases, as well as to increase payments to providers in the California Children’s Services program.  (23-0029A1)

1972. (23-0030A1)
LEGALIZES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SPORTS WAGERING AND OTHER NEW TYPES OF GAMBLING. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.

Summary Date: 01/02/24 | Circulation Deadline: 07/01/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Ryan Tyler Walz

Legalizes online sports wagering statewide, and in-person sports wagering, roulette, and dice games on tribal lands, all of which currently are prohibited, if operated by federally recognized Indian tribes under gaming compacts approved by Legislature, the model compact approved by this measure, or state law enacted by this measure. Prohibits sports wagering by persons under 21. Requires participating tribes to pay up to 25% of sports-wagering profits to nonparticipating tribes and up to 1% to the state for regulatory costs. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state revenues that could reach into the tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on how the measure is implemented and legally interpreted. Some portion of these revenues would reflect a shift from other existing state and local revenues. Increased state regulatory costs, potentially in the low- to mid-tens of millions of dollars annually. Some or all of these costs would be offset by the increased revenue or reimbursements to the state. (23-0030A1)

1973. (23-0031)
ALLOWS FOR LEGALIZATION OF ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SPORTS WAGERING. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 01/02/24 | Circulation Deadline: 07/01/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Ryan Tyler Walz

Amends California Constitution to authorize the Legislature or the voters by initiative to legalize online and in-person sports wagering, which currently is prohibited, if offered by federally recognized Indian tribes. Authorizes the Legislature to approve gaming compacts with tribes choosing to offer sports wagering. Such compacts must:

  • prohibit wagering by persons under 21;
  • limit wagering to professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events, and prohibit wagering on amateur sports involving children or events involving animals other than horses; and
  • require revenue sharing with non-gaming tribes and the state.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No immediate fiscal effects on the state and local governments as the Legislature would be allowed—but not required—to authorize sports wagering. If the Legislature authorizes sports wagering, uncertain increase in state and local government costs and revenues depending on various factors including the specific regulatory and other requirements adopted. Federal courts have generally limited tribal payments to state and local governments to the amount necessary to cover their regulation and other costs related to gaming activities. (23-0031)

1974. (23-0032A1)
DECRIMINALIZES PSYCHEDELICS FOR PERSONAL USE, MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND RESEARCH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 01/02/24 | Circulation Deadline: 07/01/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): David Hodges, Tomas Garrett, Chelsea Candelaria, Carsten Fisher

For individuals 18 and over, decriminalizes personal possession, cultivation, and use of psychedelic plants and substances, including psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine, LSD, MDMA, mescaline, and peyote. Allows medical professionals to recommend psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions and other health disorders. Allows research into therapeutic and medical applications of psychedelics. Allows businesses to grow and manufacture psychedelics, and to sell psychedelics to individuals for medical purposes. Requires psychedelics businesses with 50+ employees to hold annual employee votes regarding unionization. Authorizes resentencing, reduction, or dismissal of prior psychedelics-related convictions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential reduction in state and local regulatory revenues that could result in regulatory costs exceeding revenues by more than $100 million annually. Alternatively, changes in regulatory costs could be roughly offset by changes in regulatory revenue. The actual effect would depend on the way the measure is legally interpreted and implemented. Uncertain net effect on state and local tax revenue that would depend on the way the measure is legally interpreted and implemented. The potential revenue decrease could reach the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The potential revenue increase would likely be significantly smaller. Net reduction in state and local costs that could eventually reach around a few million dollars annually related to enforcing entheogenic substance-related offenses; handling the related criminal cases, resentencing, and sealing of records in the court system; and incarcerating and supervising people convicted of entheogenic substance-related offences. (23-0032A1)

1975. (23-0034)
ESTABLISHES NEW “UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ONLINE.” INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 01/10/24 | Circulation Deadline: 07/08/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Proponent(s): Boyd Roberts

California’s public higher education systems— University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges— currently offer courses in person and online. This measure would amend the California Constitution to require creation of an online public university named “University of California Online” with two divisions: one providing online courses for credit towards an academic degree, open to anyone who pays tuition; and one providing free public access to all online courses not for credit. Requires tuition for for-credit courses to be based on their cost, and additional fees for most out-of-state students. Requires State Treasurer to issue bonds to fund University of California Online, repaid from tuition. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Operating a new public online university could cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars to low billions of dollars annually. All of the cost is to be covered through student tuition revenue generated by the new university. The measure is not intended to have any direct fiscal impact on state or local governments. (23-0034)

1976. (23-0035A1)
CREATES NEW MONETARY PENALTIES FOR INJURIES TO MINORS CAUSED BY CERTAIN SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 02/21/24 | Circulation Deadline: 08/19/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Proponent(s): James P. Steyer

Under current law, individuals may sue to recover their actual monetary damages for injuries caused by a company’s negligence (failure to act with ordinary care). This measure would make social media companies with annual revenues exceeding $100,000,000 liable for additional monetary penalties for injuries (such as addiction or self-harm) caused by the platform’s negligence to persons under 18 years old. Penalties would be either: (1) $5,000 per violation, up to $1,000,000 per minor, or (2) three times the minor’s actual damages. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state court costs likely in the millions of dollars depending on the type and volume of additional civil cases filed in state courts and how they are resolved. Uncertain impact on state and local tax revenue that would depend primarily on how social media platforms respond to the measure. (23-0035A1)


*Elections Code section 9034 requires that once proponent(s) of a proposed initiative measure have gathered 25% of the number of signatures required (currently 136,663 for an initiative statute and 218,661 for a constitutional amendment) proponent(s) must immediately certify that they have done so under penalty of perjury to the Secretary of State.

Upon receipt of the certification, the Secretary of State must provide copies of the proposed initiative measure and the circulating title and summary to the Senate and the Assembly. Each house is required to assign the proposed initiative measure to its appropriate committees and hold joint public hearings, at least 131 days before the date of the election at which the measure is to be voted on. However, the Legislature cannot amend the proposed initiative measure or prevent it from appearing on the ballot.