Initiative Analyses

June 23

A.G. File No. 2015-029

Proposed statutory initiative that would increase excise taxes on the distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It also creates a new excise tax on the distribution of electronic cigarettes.

This measure increases the state’s cigarette excise tax from 87 cents to $2.87 per pack and imposes a new excise tax on electronic cigarettes of an amount equivalent to the increase in the state’s cigarette excise tax. The additional revenues would be used to increase funding for existing healthcare programs and services, and for other specified purposes.

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June 22

A.G. File No. 2015-028

Homeowners and renters tax relief.

This measure amends the State Constitution to increase the homeowners’ property tax exemption from $7,000 to $32,000, effective January 2017. The measure also creates a supplemental income tax credit for renters, which would be provided in addition to the existing renters’ credit. This supplemental credit would be $125 per year for single renters and $250 per year for married couples and heads of households.

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June 22

A.G. File No. 2015-027

Proposed statutory initiative related to the cultivation, use, possession, and sale of marijuana (Amendment #1).

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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June 12

A.G. File No. 2015-025

Amend the California Constitution to generally require physicians to notify a minor’s parent or guardian before performing an abortion on that minor, with certain exceptions.

This measure amends the Constitution to require, with certain exceptions, a physician (or his or her representative) to deliver a written notice to the parent or legal guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion involving an “unemancipated” minor. (This measure does not require a physician or a minor to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian.) The measure defines an unemancipated minor as being a female under the age of 18 who has not entered into a valid marriage, is not on active duty in the armed services of the United States, and has not been declared free from her parents’ or guardians’ custody and control under state law. The measure limits the ability to perform abortions on unemancipated minors to physicians only. The measure also requires that physicians report certain information to the state Department of Public Health after performing an abortion on a minor.

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June 11

A.G. File No. 2015-024

Cultivation, use, possession, and sale of marijuana

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.)

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June 10

A.G. File No. 2015-023

A measure regarding religious organizations and criminal law.

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.

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June 9

A.G. File No. 2015-022

The California Immigration Reform Act

The measure would require the state to perform various functions, primarily related to immigration and tax matters.

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June 9

A.G. File No. 2015-021

Groundwater Preservation and Water Consumer Awareness Act of 2015

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.”

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June 9

A.G. File No. 2015-020

The Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2016 (Amendment #1)

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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June 8

A.G. File No. 2015-019

A measure related to the use of restroom and changing room facilities

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.

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June 4

A.G. File No. 2015-018

The Compassionate and Sensible Access Act

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.

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June 9

A.G. File No. 2015-017

The California Craft Cannabis Initiative

This measure changes state law to legalize the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana.

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May 22

A.G. File No. 2015-016

Shellfish Suppression Act

This measure would make the consumption or sale of shellfish (such as crab, lobster, and shrimp) a serious felony punishable by a fine of $666,000 and/or imprisonment of up to roughly six and a half years.

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May 19

A.G. File No. 2015-015

The Neighborhood Legislature Reform Act

The measure amends the Constitution to (1) subdivide each Assembly and Senate district into a large number of “neighborhood districts” and (2) reduce legislative spending.

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May 14

A.G. File No. 2015-014

Initiative related to the ballot initiatives process

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.

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