June 11
This measure changes state law to legalize the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. Despite these changes to state law, activities related to the use of marijuana would continue to be prohibited under federal law. (This letter was revised on June 15, 2015.)
June 10
Among other provisions, this measure removes the “tax status” of a religious organization if any party within such an organization directs, influences, or persuades someone either by duress or agreement to provide false testimony during a legal judicial court proceeding with the intent to conceal facts of any kind.
June 9
Eliminates Statutory Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Bottled Water. Bottled water is currently exempt from California’s state and local sales and use taxes. This measure would remove bottled water from the statutory list of exempt items. Bottled water would continue to be exempted under the State Constitution. Creates Excise Tax on Bottled Water. The measure would impose an excise tax on bottled water from various sources within the state, including surface water, groundwater, and municipal water supplies. The tax rate would be five cents per ounce—equivalently, 60 cents on a 12-ounce bottle of water. This likely would make bottles of California water much more expensive than bottles of water from elsewhere. Directs Revenue Toward Water Infrastructure. The measure would allocate the revenue from the proposed taxes on bottled water to the construction, maintenance, and repair of water infrastructure such as dams, levies, water treatment facilities, and water desalination plants. Requires Labels on Bottled Water. The measure would require that bottles of water sold in California display (1) contact information for the bottlers’ parent companies and (2) a message indicating that the water is “not drought friendly.”
June 9
This measure changes state law to legalize the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. Despite these changes to state law, activities related to the use of marijuana would continue to be prohibited under federal law.
June 8
The measure requires individuals to use the restroom, shower, dressing room, and locker room facilities in government buildings that correspond to their sex as determined (1) at or near the time of birth (such as the sex documented on their birth certificates), (2) based on a new birth certificate resulting from a sex change, or (3) through medical examination. The measure defines government buildings as those owned, rented, or occupied by state or local government, such as a city, school district, community college district, or a public university.
June 4
The measure states that neither the state nor any local agency shall adopt any law that does any of the following: 1) Burdens the ability of doctors to recommend marijuana for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, unless the law applies such restrictions equally to other herbal or therapeutic treatments. 2) Impedes a patient's ability to obtain, transport, or cultivate marijuana, so long as the method of obtaining, cultivating, or transporting marijuana is consistent with the business practices and/or cultivation practices of other flora in the law’s jurisdiction. 3) Creates a noncompetitive marketplace for medical marijuana and its derivatives.
May 14
This measure would require that any individual who submits a ballot measure that “suggests the killing of gays and/or lesbians” be required to attend sensitivity training of at least 3 hours per month for 12 consecutive months. The measure also requires that the individual donate $5,000 to an organization that advocates for gays or lesbians.
May 14
The measure amends the Political Reform Act to prohibit a candidate, committee, or slate mailer organization from receiving political contributions from nonresidents of the State of California. The measure does not define who is a nonresident. The measure’s terms do not apply to federal elections.
May 14
The measure amends state law to require that, where the national and state flags are both displayed, the state flag be placed in the position of first honor. This measure will likely have no fiscal effect on state or local governments because it is not expected to generate additional workload for state or local agencies.
May 12
This measure creates an 11 member panel appointed by the Governor to recommend changes to statute and regulations related to police actions and training.The measure states that the panel shall not include individuals who are members of a “police organization” in California, and that six of the members shall be individuals who have not held an elected office.