Elections: local initiative and referendum measures.
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SB 609 — Elections: local initiative and referendum measures.
Last action — Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed Assembly
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Existing law authorizes any person who meets specified requirements to circulate an initiative petition to be presented to the voters at a municipal, county, or special district election. Existing law requires the elections official to examine the petitions, and from the records of registration ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters. If the petition is found sufficient, the elections official is required to certify the results of the examination to the appropriate legislative body. This bill would additionally require the elections official to immediately place the initiative measure on the election ballot for which it qualifies if the official finds the petition to be sufficient. If more than one election date is legally available, the official would be required to place the measure on the ballot for the earliest legally possible date, except as specified. The bill would also apply this procedure to municipal, county, and district initiative measures, including city and city and county charter proposals, and to municipal referendum measures. The bill would also make technical changes. By imposing new requirements on local elections officials, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
1 added · 1 removed1 line(s) added, 1 removed.
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- Introduced 02/17/17 - Introduced Current pdf February 17, 2017
- SB609 View text html
Action History
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Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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April 18 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 1. Noes 3. Page 744.) Reconsideration granted.
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Set for hearing April 18.
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Referred to Com. on E. & C.A.
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From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
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Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Sponsors
- Vidak · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Vidak
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (121)
121 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 121 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 20% | 60% | 0% | 20% |
How each member voted (5)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson | — | Yea |
| Allen | — | Not Voting |
| Hertzberg | — | Nay |
| Leyva | — | Nay |
| Stern, Henry I. | Democratic | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 0% | 80% | 0% | 20% |
How each member voted (5)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Leyva | — | Not Voting |
| Allen | — | Nay |
| Hertzberg | — | Nay |
| Anderson | — | Nay |
| Stern, Henry I. | Democratic | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 609 do?
- Existing law authorizes any person who meets specified requirements to circulate an initiative petition to be presented to the voters at a municipal, county, or special district election. Existing law requires the elections official to examine the petitions, and from the records of registration ascertain whether or not the petition is signed by the requisite number of voters. If the petition is found sufficient, the elections official is required to certify the results of the examination to the appropriate legislative body. This bill would additionally require the elections official to immediately place the initiative measure on the election ballot for which it qualifies if the official finds the petition to be sufficient. If more than one election date is legally available, the official would be required to place the measure on the ballot for the earliest legally possible date, except as specified. The bill would also apply this procedure to municipal, county, and district initiative measures, including city and city and county charter proposals, and to municipal referendum measures. The bill would also make technical changes. By imposing new requirements on local elections officials, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
- Who sponsors SB 609?
- SB 609 is sponsored by Vidak.
- What is the current status of SB 609?
- This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SB 609?
- Track SB 609 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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