House Bill Analysis

HB 2988

Title: AN ACT Relating to information about initiatives.

Brief Description: Requiring more official information about initiatives.

Sponsor: Romero, Lambert.

Brief Summary

CRequires the Attorney General to prepare a comprehensive summary for each initiative and alternative legislative measure.

CRequires the Office of Financial Management to prepare a fiscal note for each initiative and alternative legislative measure.

CRequires portions of this information to be posted on the Internet and in the voters' pamphlet.

House State Government Committee

Staff: Andrea Leder, Policy Intern  (786-7093)

Background:

The initiative is a process whereby state voters may enact new laws or change existing laws. Once certified, initiatives to the people go directly onto the November general election ballot. Certified initiatives to the legislature are first introduced into the Legislature. The Legislature may:

CPass the initiative and it becomes law;

CDo nothing, in which case the initiative goes on the next November general election ballot; or

CPass an alternative to the initiative, in which case it appears along with the original initiative on the general election ballot.

For each initiative, the Attorney General prepares a ballot title and summary within seven days after receiving the measure.

For statewide measures, the voters' pamphlet includes the official ballot title, arguments supporting and opposing the measure, and rebuttal statements. The Attorney General prepares separate statements explaining current law and the effect of the proposed measure if it becomes law. These are also included in the pamphlet.

Summary:

The Attorney General must prepare a comprehensive summary for each initiative to the people, initiative to the legislature, and any alternative legislative measure. The comprehensive summary must include a detailed description of the initiative's or measure's provisions, a discussion of potential constitutional issues, and an executive summary of the description and potential constitutional issues.

The Office of Financial Management must prepare a fiscal note for each initiative to the people, initiative to the legislature, and any alternative legislative measure. The fiscal note must describe any projected increases or decreases in revenue, costs, expenditures, or indebtedness that state or local governments will experience if the initiative or measure is approved by the voters. The fiscal note must include an executive summary of the fiscal impacts.

The comprehensive summary and the fiscal note must be available online on the Secretary of State's website. Both executive summaries must be included in the voters' pamphlet.

Rule Making Authority: No express authority.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested January 26, 2000.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.