June 23
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.
June 22
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.
June 22
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 12
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.
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.