Initiative Analyses

January 30

A.G. File No. 2013-060

The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act

This measure changes criminal penalties for certain crimes and allows for the resentencing of individuals convicted of such crimes.

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January 28

A.G. File No. 2013-059

The Highly Qualified Charter School Administrator and Teacher Act

This measure changes requirements for teachers and administrators working in low-performing schools. Teachers holding intern credentials would be prohibited from teaching in low-performing schools. Additionally, administrators working in low-performing charter schools would have to hold a state-issued credential.

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January 28

A.G. File No. 2013-058

High Quality Teachers Act of 2014

This measure creates new requirements relating to teacher evaluations, layoffs, and dismissals. School districts would be required to evaluate teachers more frequently, using student assessment data, multiple classroom visits, and parent feedback. The measure would require districts to base teacher layoff decisions on performance ratings determined using the new evaluation system, with seniority used only as a last resort. The measure also would permanently prohibit teachers convicted of certain serious felonies from working in California schools and no longer would require districts to conduct associated administrative dismissal hearings for these teachers.

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January 24

A.G. File No. 2013-057

The Stop Corporate Exploitation of Charter Schools Act - Version 2

This measure requires charter schools to comply with various laws that pertain to school districts and local governments, prohibits charter schools from operating as for-profit entities or from contracting with for-profit entities for certain services, and creates new requirements for charter schools related to transactions larger than $10,000 and to the investment of public funds.

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January 23

A.G. File No. 2013-056

The Stop Corporate Exploitation of Charter Schools Act

This measure requires charter schools to comply with various laws that pertain to school districts and local governments, prohibits charter schools from operating as for-profit entities or from contracting with for-profit entities for certain services, and creates new requirements for charter schools related to transactions larger than $10,000 and to the investment of public funds. (This version of the measure also would prevent a member of a charter school governing board from serving simultaneously on the board of a nonprofit entity contracting with the charter school.)

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January 23

A.G. File No. 2013-055

Death Penalty Reform and Savings Act of 2014

This measure amends the California Constitution and state law to (1) shift initial jurisdiction for direct appeals and habeas corpus petitions, (2) impose timeframes and limitations on such proceedings, (3) change the process for the appointment of counsel in direct appeals and habeas corpus petition proceedings, and (4) make various other changes.

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January 23

A.G. File No. 2013-054

Nonprofit Donor Full Disclosure Act

The measure amends the Political Reform Act of 1974—an initiative adopted by the voters—to define nonprofit organizations and broaden these organizations’ donor disclosure requirements related to campaign and lobbying activities in California.

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January 16

A.G. File No. 2013-053

The Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014

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.

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January 16

A.G. File No. 2013-052

Fair Wages and Training for Home Care Workers Act of 2014—Version 2

This measure affects home care workers who provide personal care and chore services to recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). The measure would require the state to pay all IHSS providers a minimum wage supplement in addition to their regular wage, tied to and growing with increases in the state-mandated hourly minimum wage taking effect after January 1, 2014. Beginning January 1, 2016, most IHSS providers would also be required to undergo 75 hours of paid basic training within specified time periods.

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January 16

A.G. File No. 2013-051

The Control, Regulate and Tax Marijuana Act

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.

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January 8

A.G. File No. 2013-050

Higher Wages for California Workers Act of 2014

This measure makes two changes in California's minimum wage law. First, it increases the statewide minimum wage to $10 per hour on March 1, 2015 (ten months earlier than scheduled under current law). Second, California's statewide minimum wage would subsequently rise to $12 per hour on March 1, 2016.

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January 6

A.G. File No. 2013-049

The Make Our Vote Count Act

This measure would change the process by which California's presidential electors are certified in presidential elections. Specifically, the number of electors from one party certified as the state's presidential electors would be roughly proportional to the popular vote statewide in the presidential election.

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January 13

A.G. File No. 2013-047

Protection of Local School Revenues Act of 2014 (Amendment #2-S)

The measure (1) modifies the allocation of property taxes to shift some property taxes from cities and counties to schools and community colleges and (2) increases state aid to cities and counties.

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December 27

A.G. File No. 2013-046

California Road Repairs Act of 2014--Version 2

This measure amends the constitution to create a new property tax on vehicles and requires that the revenues be spent on transportation repair projects. This measure also redirects certain existing revenues from the state General Fund to transportation repair projects.

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December 27

A.G. File No. 2013-045

California Road Repairs Act of 2014--Version 1

This measure amends the constitution to create a new property tax on vehicles and requires that the revenues be spent on transportation repair projects. This measure also redirects certain existing revenues from the state General Fund to transportation repair projects.

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