CHANGES LAWS GOVERNING BALLOT MEASURES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes the process which governs how initiative and referendum measures qualify for placement on the ballot. Requires the State to provide legal services to help proponents draft ballot measures. Requires proponents of measures to disclose the identity of large financial donors. Allows proponents of measures more time to gather voter signatures necessary to qualify measures for placement on the ballot. Permits urgency and tax levy statutes passed by Legislature to be challenged by voter referendum. Prohibits Legislature from amending or repealing laws passed by voter referendum. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Unknown effects on state and local finances, subject to future decisions by voters, the Legislature, and the Governor, if the measure results in more initiative and referendum measures qualifying for the statewide ballot. Higher state costs potentially totaling in the millions of dollars per year to meet the measure’s requirements. The measure also could result in increased petition filing fees paid to the state and possible county government savings