Prohibition Against State Discrimination Or Preferential Treatment.

PROHIBITION AGAINST STATE DISCRIMINATION OR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Prohibits the state, its political subdivisions, and agents from using race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin as a criterion for discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to any individual or group in public employment, public education, or public contracting. Exempts reasonably necessary sex-based classifications in public employment and public education. Exempts state actions necessary for receipt of federal funds. Declares intent that act should be enforced to the extent permitted by federal law and the United States Constitution. Provides for severability of provisions if invalid. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal Impact on state and local governments: Elimination of affirmative action programs could result in savings to state and local government agencies totalling tens of millions of dollars annually. Elimination of student assistance programs based on race, ethnicity, or gender could result in additional savings to higher education of about $50 million annually. Elimination of voluntary school desegregation programs and other student assistance programs based on race, ethnicity, or gender could free up $120 million annually for use in other public school and community college programs