Local initiative measures: ballot printing specifications.

Existing law requires that the ballots used when voting upon a proposed county, city, or district ordinance submitted to the voters as an initiative measure have printed on them a specified statement describing the nature of the proposed ordinance. This bill would extend these ballot requirements to any measure submitted to the voters that is proposed by a local governing body or submitted to the voters as an initiative or referendum measure. The bill would require the statement describing the measure to be a true and impartial synopsis of the proposed measure, as specified. By expanding the local measures to which the ballot requirements apply, the bill would impose 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.