Initiative Analyses

September 9

A.G. File No. 2013-008

California Personal Privacy Act (Amendment #1-S)

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.

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August 1

A.G. File No. 2013-006

End Taxpayer Funding of Political Parties

Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005, we have reviewed the proposed constitutional initiative concerning political parties and elections (A.G. File No. 13 0006).

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June 19

A.G. File No. 2013-005

Corporate Tax Break Accountability Act, Amendment #1-NS

Review of the proposed statutory initiative concerning business taxation and enterprise zones.

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June 18

A.G. File No. 2013-004

The California Welfare Reform Act of 2014

Proposed initiative related to the provision of public social services.

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June 14

A.G. File No. 2013-003

The Free Exercise of Religion

Proposed initiative related to the free exercise of religion.

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April 10

A.G. File No. 2013-002

The California Modernization and Economic Development Act of 2013 (Amendment 1-S)

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.

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April 12

A.G. File No. 2013-001

Reform and Regulate California's Timber Industry

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.

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February 1

A.G. File No. 2012-018

The California Residents College Accessibility and Affordability Act of 2014

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.

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January 18

A.G. File No. 2012-017

The California Electrical Utility District Act

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.

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January 18

A.G. File No. 2012-016

The California Nuclear Waste Act

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.

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October 31

A.G. File No. 2012-015

College and University Funding and Accountability Act

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.

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June 4

A.G. File No. 2012-014

Robin Hood Tax

The measure imposes a 25 percent tax on the value of all oil and gas extracted in California or its state offshore waters that extend out three miles from the coastline. Oil and gas produced in federal waters would be exempt.

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May 25

A.G. File No. 2012-013

The Nuclear Waste Act of 2012

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 the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod reprocessing plants and the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste.

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May 15

A.G. File No. 2012-012

Property Taxation

This measure would amend the Constitution to remove the property tax exemption for churches and other religious property. The measure would take effect in 2013.

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May 7

A.G. File No. 2012-011

College and University Funding and Accountability Act (Amdt 1S)

This proposal would reduce tuition and fees at UC, CSU, and CCC to their January 2010 levels, adjusted for inflation. We estimate that this would result in full-time annual resident tuition and fee charges of approximately $9,500 at UC, $4,270 at CSU, and $830 at CCC, beginning in January 2013.

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