BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 49
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 49
(Runner) - As Amended June 23, 2015
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|Policy |Elections and Redistricting |Vote:|4 - 2 |
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Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill authorizes the Governor, if only one candidate for an
Assembly or Senate office qualifies for inclusion on a special
election primary ballot, to declare that candidate elected, thus
cancelling the special primary and special general elections.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Significant savings to counties from not having to conduct
special elections when a candidate is declared elected pursuant
to this bill. Such special elections, if not consolidated with
SB 49
Page 2
another election, typically cost in excess of $1 million.
From 1993 through 2007, the state reimbursed California counties
for the costs of special elections held to fill legislative and
congressional vacancies. Provisions requiring the state to
reimburse counties for these costs expired January 1, 2008,
however. Since that time, numerous bills to continue state
reimbursement have all failed passage.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. The author was elected last year in a special election
for the Senate in which she was the only candidate. The
estimated cost of that election was $1.6 million. The author
seeks to save such costs when similar circumstances occur in the
future.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081