August 29
This measure would amend the State Constitution to prohibit the Legislature from imposing a new fee or continuing the imposition of an existing fee on community hospitals (defined as general acute care hospitals licensed by the state that are not owned or operated by the federal government) for the purpose of obtaining FFP in the Medicaid Program or any other similar program unless a series of requirements are met. The measure also dictates the use of the proceeds from such a fee. Below we describe specific restrictions that would be placed in the Constitution.
August 28
Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005, we have reviewed the proposed statutory initiative (A.G. File No. 13 0011) relating to medical malpractice damage awards, physician substance abuse, and the prescribing and dispensing of drugs by physicians and pharmacists.
August 28
This measure creates the California Electrical Utility District, which would have the responsibility to provide electricity service to customers within the territory currently served by the three largest electricity investor-owned utilities in the state—Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric. This new district would be governed by a board of directors that would have the authority to establish electricity rates, enforce electricity regulations and contracts, condemn for public use privately held property, and issue bonds for certain purposes.
August 27
This measure immediately prohibits the generation of nuclear power in the state until such time as the CEC finds, and the Legislature affirms, that the federal government has identified and approved a demonstrated technology for 1) the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod reprocessing plants and 2) the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste. The measure would result in the immediate shut down of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. The plant would remain shut down until such time as the conditions outlined above were met.
September 9
This measure expands the type of personal information that would be considered confidential. Specifically, the measure states that confidential personal information is information provided by a person to a public agency, private entity, or individual to be used for a governmental or commercial purpose and that can be linked to that person. However, information contained in public government records would not be considered confidential. Under the measure, state and local governments and private entities would be required to use all reasonable means to protect confidential personal information in their possession and be prohibited from sharing such information without the individual’s permission. Entities could disclose personal information without permission if it would serve a compelling interest and there is no reasonable alternative to accomplishing that interest. The measure creates a legal presumption that the unauthorized disclosure of confidential personal information caused harm to the individuals whose information was disclosed. This is a change from current law, which requires individuals bringing lawsuits to prove that they were harmed by the unauthorized disclosure.
April 10
Proposed statutory initiative concerning oil and gas severance taxes and funding for education, parks and recreation, clean energy research and development, and local infrastructure projects.
April 12
This measure creates the Forest Conservation and Resource Management Department, which would have the responsibility to (1) protect and manage forests and watersheds on public land and (2) regulate timber harvesting in the state.
February 1
Proposal Increase in Cigarette Excise Tax. The measure increases the state excise tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack of 20, increasing the total state excise tax to $1.87 per pack. Tax Revenues Deposited Into New Special Fund. Revenues from the $1 per pack cigarette tax increase imposed by this measure would be deposited to a new special fund—the California Residents College Accessibility and Affordability Fund. These funds would be continuously appropriated according to the measure’s provisions, as discussed below. The measure prohibits the state from transferring or loaning these funds to the state General Fund or any other state fund.
January 18
This measure creates the California Electrical Utility District, which would have the responsibility to provide electricity service to customers within the territory currently served by the three largest electricity investor-owned utilities in the state—Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric. This new district would be governed by a board of directors that would have the authority to establish electricity rates, enforce electricity regulations and contracts, condemn for public use privately held property, and issue bonds for certain purposes.
January 18
This measure immediately prohibits the generation of nuclear power in the state, including by existing power plants, until such time as the CEC finds, and the Legislature affirms, that the federal government has identified and approved a demonstrated technology for: 1) The construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod reprocessing plants. 2) The permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste. The measure would result in the immediate shut down of the nuclear power plants in the state. Such plants would remain shut down until such time as the conditions outlined above were met.
October 31
This proposed constitutional and statutory measure increases a number of state taxes. Revenues from the taxes increased by this measure would be deposited into a new special fund. The initiative establishes minimum state spending requirements for higher education; reduces tuition and fees at UC, CSU, and CCC to their 2009-10 levels, adjusted for inflation; and would have the Speaker of the California Assembly establish a new commission which would be required to make recommendations to improve efficiencies at the three segments.