BILL NUMBER: SB 441	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Vargas

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2011

   An act to repeal Section 13305 of the Elections Code, relating to
elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 441, as introduced, Vargas. Elections: contributions.
   Existing law permits the county central committee of each
qualified political party to supply county elections officials with
party contribution envelopes or letters, as specified, to be included
with the mailing of the sample ballot to each of the registered
voters who indicated the same political party affiliation.
   This bill would repeal these provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 13305 of the Elections Code is repealed.

   13305.  (a) In each county, the county central committee of each
qualified political party may supply to its county elections
official, not less than 83 days prior to the direct primary election,
a party contributor envelope or a one-page letter, in which both
sides may be utilized, to be included in the mailing of the sample
ballot to each of the registered voters in the county who have
disclosed a preference for that same party on the voter's affidavit
of registration. In lieu of supplying the elections official with a
sufficient number of copies of the one-page letter, a county central
committee may supply the elections official, not less than 83 days
before the direct primary election, with the text of the letter and
request the elections official to print, or cause to be printed, a
sufficient number of copies of the letter to accommodate the mailing.
The elections official shall notify the respective county committee
of, and the committee shall reimburse the county for, any actual
costs incurred by the inclusion or printing, or both. The elections
official may, prior to acting pursuant to this subdivision, require
the county committee to post a bond to ensure the reimbursement.
   (b) Each envelope or letter shall contain a space for the name and
address of the contributor, and shall contain language which informs
the contributor of the manner in which the money received shall be
spent. The language on the envelope or letter shall not contain words
critical of any other political party.
   (c) All funds received by the return of the party contributor
envelopes or in response to the letters shall be kept separate from
all other funds and shall be kept in a fund (account) to be
established in each county. Any funds which are prohibited under
federal law from being used for candidates for federal office shall
be further segregated and any portion allocated to candidates shall
be disbursed only to candidates for state office.