BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 65
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 65 (Gatto)
As Amended March 22, 2011
Majority vote
ELECTIONS 5-1 APPROPRIATIONS 11-5
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|Ayes:|Fong, Bonilla, Hall, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, |
| |Mendoza, Swanson | |Bradford, Charles |
| | | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| | | |Gatto, Hill, Lara, |
| | | |Mitchell, Solorio |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Logue |Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby, Wagner |
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SUMMARY : Requires the state ballot pamphlet to contain
information about the largest contributors supporting and
opposing each state measure that will appear on the ballot.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the state ballot pamphlet, immediately below the
analysis of a state ballot measure prepared by the Legislative
Analyst, to include:
a) A list of the five highest contributors of $50,000 or
more to each primarily formed committee supporting the
measure;
b) A list of the five highest contributors of $50,000 or
more to each primarily formed committee opposing the
measure; and,
c) The total amount of each of the above contributions as
of 110 days before the election.
2)Requires the lists to be followed by a statement that the
lists only reflect the highest contributors of $50,000 or more
as of 110 days before election day.
3)Provides that if a contributor is a committee controlled by a
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candidate, the name of the candidate shall be listed.
4)Provides that if a contributor is a sponsored committee, the
name of the sponsor shall be listed.
5)Makes technical and corresponding changes.
EXISTING LAW requires the statewide ballot pamphlet to include
information, in a specific order, for each state measure to be
voted upon including, but not limited to:
1)A complete copy of each state measure;
2)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision,
if any, that each state measure would repeal or revise;
3)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each
state measure; and,
4)A copy of the analysis of each state measure prepared by the
Legislative Analyst.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, potential minor General Fund costs for additional
printing in the state ballot pamphlet. For every additional
page required due to the bill's requirement, the cost would be
$66,000. However, the Secretary of State's office formats the
Voter Information Guide in 16-page increments, thus there is
often blank space available for additional information, such as
that required by this bill.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "With more groups opting to
bypass the legislative process and use initiatives to shape
public policy, it becomes more important to provide the decision
makers, voters, with the most information
possible?Unfortunately, �with the initiative process],...
�v]oters are asked to make decisions at the ballot without the
benefit of the openness provided by the deliberative,
legislative process?This sunshine measure seeks to make the
electorate better informed as they consider ballot propositions,
by allowing them to 'follow the money' and see what interests
are driving the electoral process."
SB 1202 (DeSaulnier) of 2010, which was substantially similar to
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this bill, but only required the statewide ballot pamphlet to
include a list of the five highest contributors of $50,000 or
more to each primarily formed committee supporting each state
measure and the total amount of each of their contributions. SB
1202 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger, who expressed
concerns that the bill would create confusion for voters and
encourage late contributions. The Governor also noted that the
bill would create significant cost pressure to print information
that is already available at the Secretary of State website.
California voters passed an initiative, Proposition 9, in 1974
that created the Fair Political Practices Commission and
codified significant restrictions and prohibitions on
candidates, officeholders, and lobbyists. That initiative is
commonly known as the Political Reform Act (PRA). Amendments to
the PRA that are not submitted to the voters must further the
purposes of the initiative and require a two-thirds vote of both
houses of the Legislature, unless the amendments are to
specified provisions to add information to the ballot pamphlet.
This bill would require additional information to be included in
the ballot pamphlet, and therefore requires a majority vote.
Analysis Prepared by : Maria Garcia / E. & R. / (916) 319-2094
FN: 0000183