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SB 1225

Initiative and referendum measures: title and summary.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Allen and 2 co-sponsors

Shifting responsibility for circulating titles and summaries from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst (LA) for statewide measures, with new voter information, fiscal an

May 14 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
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Bill Summary · SB 1225

Overview

SB 1225, as amended and awaiting potential voter approval of SCA 3 (2025–26), proposes to shift the responsibility for preparing circulating titles and summaries for initiative and referendum measures from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst (LA). The bill also makes related changes to how voter information materials are prepared and presented, including requirements for fiscal analysis, petition disclosures, and ballot labeling. Many provisions are contingent on the approval of SCA 3, meaning the operative effects would begin only if that constitutional amendment is approved.

Main purpose and intent

  • Transfer responsibility for circulating titles and summaries from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst for statewide initiative and referendum measures.
  • Require or authorize enhanced voter information components and fiscal analyses to accompany measures.
  • Establish new processes for public review, amendments, and timing related to circulating titles and summaries.
  • Implement new formatting, disclosure, and labeling requirements for petitions, supporters/opponents, and fiscal impacts on ballot materials.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 107 (and related reorganization in §107): Creates an “Official Top Funders” sheet and updated disclosure requirements for petition circulators, including:
    • Disclosure of top funders, committee details, and endorsements.
    • A requirement that the sheet be provided or linked online, with specific formatting.
    • A requirement to include a “Latest Official Top Funders” reference and to post the sheet on the Secretary of State’s site.
    • Operative only until the effective date of SCA 3 (2025–26).
  • Sections 336, 342, 9001–9010 and related amendments/additions:
    • Remove or replace Attorney General–generated circulating titles and summaries with Legislative Analyst–generated versions.
    • Create or modify operative dates contingent on SCA 3.
    • Implement a 30-day public review period for proposed measures, with opportunity for amendments.
    • Transfer or parallel processes for submitting proposals to the LA or Attorney General depending on subdivision, and set deadlines for circulation, review, and dissemination.
  • 9004 and 9005 (and corresponding 9004/9005 variants):
    • LA (instead of Attorney General) to prepare circulating title and summary; include a unique numeric identifier.
    • Timeline: within 15 days after fiscal estimate/analysis from the Department of Finance (and LA) is provided to proponents, the official summary date is established.
    • Secretary of State notified with schedules, deadlines, and copies to county officials.
  • 9005 (fiscal impact):
    • LA or Attorney General must include the fiscal impact estimate; jointly prepared by the Department of Finance and the LA; target deadline for the estimate is 50 days after receipt, with extension only if a substantial net revenue/cost impact cannot be prepared within that window.
  • 9006–9008 and 9009 (re: referenda and petitions):
    • If operative, require concise circulating titles and summaries (no fiscal analysis for referenda at this stage).
    • Petitions to display unique numeric identifiers and circulating texts on every page; the text directing that the measure be submitted directly to voters remains.
  • 9050–9051 (ballot labeling and supporters/opponents):
    • Ballot labeling to include condensed titles, fiscal impact summaries, and a list of supporters and opponents (with character limits and requirements for entities listing).
    • Restrictions and requirements on who may be listed (e.g., nonprofit organizations, businesses, individuals) and documentation to verify four-year existence or other criteria.
    • Beginning January 1, 2025, the ballot labels for statewide referenda will display supporters and opponents in the ballot guide, with standardized wording (e.g., “Supporters of the law,” “Opponents of the law”).
    • Proponents and opponents must provide signed statements and documentation as part of the process.
  • 9034–9035 (signature thresholds and legislative hearings):
    • Proponents must certify upon reaching 25% of signatures; Secretary of State will transmit to Legislature for joint committee hearings within specified timelines (not later than 131 days before the election).
    • Legislature may hold hearings but cannot alter the measure; demonstrates a tighter linkage between signature collection, review, and legislative scrutiny.
  • 9035 (signature thresholds):
    • Maintains the current threshold for initiative petitions (5% of Governor’s last vote for statutes, 8% for constitutional amendments) but with operative date tied to SCA 3.

Who would be affected

  • Initiatives and referenda proponents and circulating committees (the sponsors of measures) would engage with the Legislative Analyst for the circulating title and summary.
  • The Secretary of State and county elections officials would implement new dissemination and labeling procedures, including ballot labels and supporter/opponent lists.
  • Public stakeholders, including supporters, opponents, and endorsers (as defined), would be subject to enhanced disclosure requirements on petitions and in ballot materials.
  • Legislative staff and fiscal authorities (Department of Finance and LA) would coordinate to produce fiscal impact analyses and ensure alignment with deadlines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Operational start hinges on SCA 3’s approval; if approved, LA will generate circulating titles and summaries.
  • Public review period of 30 days for proposed measures, with opportunities for germane amendments during that window.
  • Specific deadlines:
    • 50-day window for fiscal impact estimates (from Finance and LA) to be produced for circulating title and summary.
    • 15-day window to deliver circulating title/summary to proponents and Secretary of State after fiscal estimates.
    • Hearings and referrals to legislative committees within a defined timeframe after signature certification (25% threshold).
  • Petitions must include specific formatting and disclosure elements (numeric identifiers, official text blocks, etc.) on every page and accompanying disclosures.
  • Several sections are temporary, remaining in effect only until the effective date of SCA 3 (2025–26), at which point they are repealed if SCA 3 is not enacted.

Implications

  • Intended to centralize and standardize how information about ballot measures is prepared and presented, potentially affecting transparency of funding disclosures and the speed and manner of circulating-title provision.
  • Shifts fiscal analysis responsibility and may affect proponents’ timing and costs (fee for submitting measures: $2,000 to either the Attorney General or LA, refundable if the measure qualifies for the ballot within two years).
  • May alter how voters access and understand proposed measures through updated summaries, labeling, and sponsor/opponent disclosures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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