This page contains a list of proposed initiative and referendum measures that during the last 60 days have been withdrawn by proponents or have failed to gather the required number of signatures during the circulation period. 

1939. (22-0005)
REFERENDUM CHALLENGING 2022 LAW AUTHORIZING CREATION OF COUNCIL TO SET MINIMUM WAGE AND WORKING STANDARDS FOR FAST-FOOD WORKERS.

Summary Date: 09/16/22
Final Random Sample Count: 01/24/23 (PDF)
QUALIFIED: 01/24/23 (PDF); VOIDED: 09/11/23 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 09/11/2023
Withdrawn: 12/29/2023 (PDF)
Signatures Required: 623,212
Proponent(s): Amber Evans, Steven McDermed

If the required number of registered voters sign this petition and it is timely filed, a 2022 law will not take effect unless approved at the next statewide general or special election after November 8, 2022. The challenged law:

  • Authorizes creation of Fast Food Council (upon submission of 10,000 fast-food worker signatures) to set working standards and minimum wage (up to $22/hour in 2023, with capped annual increases) at fast-food restaurants with 100+ nationwide locations;
  • Prohibits retaliation against fast-food workers for making certain workplace complaints.

1948. (23-0006)
REQUIRES LANDFILL UPGRADES. AUTHORIZES ONLY SPECIFIED PRIVATE COMPANIES TO ADMINISTER UPGRADE FUNDING AND CERTAIN EDUCATION FUNDS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/04/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 03/18/2024
Proponent(s): Michael Freeman Liddell

Requires closed landfills to implement aerobic bioreactor technology that uses liquid and air to speed decomposition and reduce methane gas emissions. Prohibits state funding for required landfill upgrades and instead authorizes only NGD Consortium (consisting of several related private companies) to administer funding. Establishes funds, administered by NGD Consortium, for public schools and college savings accounts for students in communities with upgraded landfills; these funds will be financed by fines on noncompliant landfills and some of NGD Consortium’s profits from the measure’s programs. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs from administering new regulatory and funding programs likely totaling several millions of dollars annually. Uncertain local government cost impacts depending upon whether new requirements for landfills result in higher costs for providing waste collection and disposal services. Uncertain state and local government revenue impacts depending on a number of factors including the amount generated from various funding sources to support compliance for landfills and educational costs. (23-0006)

1949. (23-0007)
AUTHORIZES ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE GATHERING FOR INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL PETITIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/04/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 03/18/2024
Proponent(s): Michael Freeman Liddell

Requires Secretary of State to develop an online platform allowing voters to view and sign electronically state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions on the Secretary of State’s website, or to download, print, and sign petitions for submission to the Secretary of State. Requires Secretary of State or local elections official to verify these signatures. Requires Secretary of State to invite arguments for and against initiative, referendum, and recall measures, and to post submitted arguments on its website. Requires Secretary of State’s website to include ongoing count of each measure’s signatures submitted electronically or via downloaded and printed petitions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: One-time state and local government costs in the tens of millions of dollars or more to develop an online system for electronic petition signature gathering. Ongoing annual costs of millions of dollars or more to maintain the new system. Potential net costs or savings due to changed state and local government processes for verifying petition signatures. (23-0007)

1950. (23-0008A1)
ALLOWS SMALLER SOLAR FARMS TO SELL ELECTRICITY WITHOUT BEING REGULATED BY THE STATE AS A PUBLIC UTILITY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/04/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 03/18/2024
Proponent(s): Anthony s. Wexler, Jonathan D. Greenberg

Allows solar farms located on up to 100 acres of agricultural land to sell electricity within a two-mile radius service area without state regulation of utility safety or rates. Requires these solar farms to comply with safety and other county codes related to electric power systems. Prohibits these farms from using utility power lines without permission. Requires local utilities to provide electrical service on the same terms to existing customers who choose to receive electricity from these solar farms. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential costs to state and local governments of an uncertain magnitude should safety issues such as fires arise at solar farms. Potential uncertain fiscal effects for local governments depending primarily on the degree to which additional inspections are needed. (23-0008A1)

1951. (23-0009)
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/14/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/12/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 03/25/2024
Proponent(s): James J. Cowie

Amends California Constitution to require the state and its school districts to “provide all public school students with high-quality public schools,” the requirements of which will depend on how the measure is implemented by the Legislature, state agencies, and public schools (including charter schools), and interpreted by court decisions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effects on the state or public schools because the measure does not require any change to current policies or programs. Depending on how the measure is legally interpreted by the courts and implemented by the state and public schools, there could be fiscal effects that are unknown and highly uncertain. (23-0009)

1952. (23-0010)
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/14/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/12/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 03/25/2024
Proponent(s): James J. Cowie

Amends California Constitution to provide that all “school-age children have the right to attend high-quality public schools,” the requirements of which will depend on how the measure is implemented by the Legislature, state agencies, and public schools (including charter schools), and interpreted by court decisions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No direct fiscal effects on the state or public schools because the measure does not require any change to current policies or programs. Depending on how the measure is legally interpreted by the courts and implemented by the state and public schools, there could be fiscal effects that are unknown and highly uncertain. (23-0010)

1953. (23-0011)
LIMITS STATE’S ABILITY TO SET STATEWIDE LAND-USE AND HOUSING POLICY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 09/18/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/18/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 03/29/2024
Proponent(s): John Heath, Peggy Huang, Jovita Mendoza, Dennis Richards, Susan Candell, Anita Enander, Kalimah Priforce

Provides that local laws automatically override conflicting state land-use and zoning laws (including affordable housing laws), unless such state laws address specified statewide concerns. For state laws enacted after 2016 to prevail over local laws, they must include specific findings of statewide concern, which may require recent laws to be re-enacted or amended. Prohibits state from changing, granting, or denying funding to local governments based on their implementation of this measure. Repeals Article XXXIV of the California Constitution, which requires local voter approval for publicly funded low-rent housing projects. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Fiscal effects of the measure depend on future decisions by the cities and counties and therefore are unknown. (23-0011)

1954. (23-0012)
INCREASES STATE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION GOALS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/18/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/18/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 03/29/2024
Proponent(s): Micah J. Perlin

Increases state’s target for reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 95% below 1990 levels by 2045 (instead of 85%). Removes current requirement that state use Cap-and-Trade Program (which sets overall limits and allows producers to buy and sell emissions credits) to achieve 2030 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production and refining. Instead, requires regulations that achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction to meet target. Allows local regulators to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources (e.g., refineries, factories, power plants) more strictly than the state. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs, totaling billions of dollars annually, to meet new greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Increased local government costs of an unknown magnitude to comply with new regulations adopted as a result of this measure. Potential reduction in various annual state and local government revenues of an uncertain amount depending on how the measure’s implementation impacts the oil and gas sector. (23-0012)

1955. (23-0013A1)
AUTHORIZES BONDS AND CREATES STATE AGENCY FOR PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY RESEARCH. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.

Summary Date: 09/22/23 | Circulation Deadline: 03/20/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 04/03/2024
Proponent(s): Jeannie Fontana

Creates state agency to regulate “psychedelic medicines” (defined as substances that “produce altered states of consciousness,” including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, ketamine, cannabis). Requires agency provide funding for research, development, and delivery of psychedelic medicines and therapies for treatment of mental health conditions and health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Establishes constitutional “right to conduct research” using psychedelic medicines. Authorizes $5 billion in state general obligation bonds for agency funding, with $500 million annual limit. Appropriates money from General Fund to repay bonds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Average state costs of about $220 million each year for 30 years, with costs totaling $6.6 billion over the period. (23-0013A1)

1956. (23-0014A1)
PROHIBITS NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 10/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/03/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 04/16/2024
Proponent(s): Michele Prichard, Kassia Siegel

Prohibits most new or modified oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of specified locations, including housing, schools, daycares, parks, healthcare facilities, community resource centers, detention facilities, and businesses open to the public. Requires existing wells within 3,200 feet to meet specified health, safety, and environmental requirements (e.g., light, sound, and dust pollution control). Requires existing operators in these areas to submit a leak detection and response plan, and to offer water quality testing to property owners and tenants at least 30 days before drilling. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: If voters uphold the restrictions on certain oil drilling permits subject to referendum, this measure generally would not have any additional fiscal effects. If voters reject the restrictions on certain oil drilling subject to referendum, this measure likely would (1) decrease state revenues by tens of millions of dollars annually, (2) decrease revenues for local governments by tens of millions of dollars annually, and (3) increase state costs in the low tens of millions of dollars annually. (23-0014A1)

1957. (23-0015A1)
INCREASES REQUIREMENTS ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATURE WHEN RESPONDING TO RECORDS REQUESTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 10/06/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/03/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 04/16/2024
Proponent(s): Jerry Flanagan

Amends California Public Records Act and Legislative Open Records Act to:

  • Increase types of records subject to public disclosure;
  • Restrict agencies’ use of existing legal privileges and justifications to withhold records;
  • Limit private parties’ ability to prevent disclosure of records concerning them, including requiring a $50,000 bond to pay requestors’ litigation costs;
  • Authorize new lawsuits and appeals by requestors, and court sanctions, against agencies;
  • Set new deadlines to disclose records, regardless of number requested;
  • Require retention of records for five years;
  • Require legislators to disclose public events, fundraising events, and lobbyist meetings.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased net state and local government costs, likely reaching over $1 billion annually, to meet new time frames and requirements for providing public access to government and legislative records and to retain such records for five years. (23-0015A1)

1958. (23-0016)
REQUIRES GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 10/19/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/16/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 04/30/2024
Proponent(s): Carl DeMaio

Amends California Constituion to:

  • Require voters to present driver’s license or other government-issued identification card at polls;
  • Require voters to provide a matching signature (as already required by state law) and last three digits of government-issued identification number with mail-in ballot;
  • Require counties to maintain accurate voter registration lists (as already required by state and federal law);
  • Prohibit counties from mailing ballot if they “obtain information that suggests” a voter no longer resides at registered address; and
  • Require counties to report in-person voting wait times after elections.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: One-time state and local government costs in the millions of dollars to prepare for implementation of the measure. Increased annual state and local government costs, potentially in the tens of millions of dollars, to administer elections. (23-0016)

1960. (23-0018A1)
REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE IN A STUDENT’S EXPRESSED GENDER, WITHOUT EXCEPTION FOR STUDENT’S SAFETY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 05/10/2024
Proponent(s): Clare Erin Friday, Jonathan Zachreson

Requires K-12 schools to notify parents whenever a student under age 18 asks to be treated as a gender different from what is listed on their school records—for example, by requesting to use an alternate name or pronouns, or use facilities for a different gender. Does not provide exception if student requests confidentiality or where disclosure would endanger their safety; includes exception only for certain communications with school counselors. Prohibits schools from recognizing the student’s expressed gender without written parental authorization. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Minor administrative costs to schools, which could range from no effect to several millions of dollars initially, depending on whether the measure can be legally implemented. (23-0018A1)

1961. (23-0019A1)
ELIMINATES STUDENTS’ RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 05/10/2024
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

Repeals 2013 state law allowing students to participate in school activities and use school facilities consistent with their gender identity. Requires public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to:

  • prohibit transgender female students in grades 7 and higher from participating in female sports; and
  • restrict use of gender-segregated facilities (e.g., bathrooms, locker rooms) only to persons assigned that gender at birth.

For purposes of the measure’s restrictions, defines “male” and “female” exclusively by reference to certain reproductive traits. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Minor administrative and workload costs to schools, colleges, and universities, which could range from no effect to a few millions of dollars initially, depending on whether the measure can be legally implemented. If legally implemented, there could be potential, but unknown, cost pressures related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in schools, colleges, or universities being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0019A1)

1962. (23-0020A1)
PROHIBITS GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/01/23 | Circulation Deadline: 04/29/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 05/10/2024
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

Prohibits health care providers from providing transgender patients under 18 with medical care to affirm a gender identity that differs from the minor’s gender assigned at birth. Prohibits such treatment even if parents consent or it is medically recommended for the minor’s mental or physical wellbeing. Allows limited exceptions if minor: (1) has certain narrowly defined medical conditions; (2) began a continuous course of treatment before January 1, 2025; or (3) wishes to reverse prior treatment. Health care providers who violate the prohibition could lose their license or certification. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: To the extent the measure can be legally implemented, potentially relatively minor savings up to the millions of dollars annually from no longer paying for prohibited services for individuals under the age of 18. These savings could be affected by many other impacts, such as individuals seeking treatment later in life. Potential, but unknown, cost pressure to state and local governments related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in providers being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0020A1)