February 9
The measure establishes, within the Office of Emergency Services, the California Border Police (CBP), which would be responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws. The CBP would be (1) overseen by a CBP commissioner appointed by the Governor, (2) based upon the California Highway Patrol’s personnel benefits and organizational structure, and (3) trained in federal immigration laws and procedures. The CBP could also establish branch offices and detention facilities.
February 1
The measure provides that the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a product shall not be found guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice—and therefore cannot be required to pay punitive damages—if the product that allegedly caused injury was in compliance with all regulations, requirements, or standards of the federal and state agencies responsible for overseeing the product.
January 27
This measure changes a number of provisions of California’s workers’ compensation laws. The changes concern benefits paid to persons with permanent disabilities, medical care, pharmacy services, and benefits resulting from work-related deaths.
January 27
This measure changes a number of provisions of California’s workers’ compensation laws. The changes concern the rights of employees and medical providers to sue employers or insurers, medical care, and pharmacy services.
January 27
This measure changes a number of provisions of California’s workers’ compensation laws. The changes concern the rights of employees and medical providers to sue employers or insurers, medical care, and pharmacy services.
January 24
This measure amends state statutes to require public employee unions to get annual, written consent from a state or local government employee in order to charge and use the employee’s union dues or fees for a political committee, as defined in state law. This requirement would apply to both members and nonmembers of a public employee union. The measure also would require unions to keep certain records, including copies of any consent forms.
January 24
This measure restricts the manner in which corporations and labor unions may make contributions to political candidates. Specifically, the measure allows corporations and labor unions to make political contributions only by establishing a segregated account for political purposes. The measure places restrictions on the contribution to and expenditures from these accounts.
January 24
This measure increases the existing excise tax on cigarettes by $2.60 per pack effective January 2007. Existing state law requires the Board of Equalization (BOE) to increase taxes on other tobacco products—such as loose tobacco and snuff—in an amount equivalent to any increase in the tax on cigarettes. Thus, this measure would also result in a comparable increase in the excise tax on other tobacco products. This measure specifies that all of the additional tobacco revenues (including those on other tobacco products) be used to support various new and existing programs specified in this measure.