This page contains a list of proposed initiative and referendum measures that during the last 60 days have been withdrawn by proponents or have failed to gather the required number of signatures during the circulation period. 

1916. (21-0022A1)
PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PANDEMIC DETECTION AND PREVENTION BY INCREASING TAX ON PERSONAL INCOME OVER $5 MILLION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. 

Summary Date: 11/22/2021
Final Random Sample Count: 07/05/2022 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 07/05/2022 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 997,139
(25% of Signatures Reached 02/15/2022 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Max Henderson, Anna Maybach

Increases tax on personal income over $5 million by 0.75% for 10 years, and allocates new tax revenues as follows: 50% to the California Institute for Pandemic Prevention (established by this measure), to award grants for research and development of technologies to detect and prevent future pandemics; 25% for public health programs for pandemic preparedness; and 25% for improvements to school facilities to limit disease transmission. Creates Independent Scientific Governing Board to administer the Institute; requires board members have specified medical, technological, or public-health expertise. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state tax revenues that likely would range from around $500 million to $1.5 billion annually for the ten-year period the new tax would be in effect. Revenues entirely would support activities related to infectious disease control and pandemic prevention. (21-0022A1.)

1921. (21-0027A1)
ELIMINATES EMPLOYEES’ ABILITY TO FILE LAWSUITS FOR MONETARY PENALTIES FOR STATE LABOR-LAW VIOLATIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. 

Summary Date: 12/08/2021 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 07/22/2022 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 07/22/2022 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 623,212 
(25% of Signatures Reached 02/03/2022 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Brian Maas

Repeals 2004 law allowing employees to file lawsuits on behalf of themselves and other employees against employers to recover monetary penalties for certain state labor-law violations. Labor Commissioner retains authority to enforce labor laws and impose penalties. Eliminates Labor Commissioner’s authority to contract with private organizations or attorneys to assist with enforcement. Requires Legislature to provide funding of unspecified amount for Labor Commissioner enforcement. Requires Labor Commissioner to provide pre-enforcement advice; allows employers to correct identified labor-law violations without penalties. Authorizes increased penalties for willful violations. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Likely increase in state costs to enforce labor laws that could exceed $100 million per year. Reduction in state penalty revenue used for labor law enforcement in the tens of millions of dollars annually. (21-0027A1.)

1935. (21-0042A1)
LIMITS ABILITY OF VOTERS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE REVENUES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
On June 20, 2024, the California Supreme Court issued an opinion, in Legislature of the State of California v. Weber, directing the Secretary of State to refrain from taking any steps to place Initiative #1935 on the ballot or include the measure in the voter information guide. Accordingly, this initiative will not be qualified for the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot.

Summary Date: 02/03/2022
Final Full Check: 02/01/2023 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 02/01/2023 (PDF)
Removed: 06/25/2024
Signatures Required: 997,139
(25% of Signatures Reached 03/16/2022 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Thomas W. Hiltachk

For new or increased state taxes currently enacted by two-thirds vote of Legislature, also requires statewide election and majority voter approval. Limits voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by raising vote requirement to two-thirds. Eliminates voters’ ability to advise how to spend revenues from proposed general tax on same ballot as the proposed tax. Expands definition of “taxes” to include certain regulatory fees, broadening application of tax approval requirements. Requires Legislature or local governing body set certain other fees. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Lower annual state and local revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and the courts. (21-0042A1)

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

Summary Date: 09/16/2022
Final Random Sample Count: 01/24/2023 (PDF)
QUALIFIED: 01/24/2023 (PDF); VOIDED: 09/11/2023 (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.

1940. (22-0006)
REFERENDUM CHALLENGING 2022 LAW PROHIBITING NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS.

Summary Date: 09/29/2022
Final Random Sample Count: 02/03/2023 (PDF)
QUALIFIED: 02/03/2023 (PDF); VOIDED: 09/11/2023 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 09/11/2023
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 623,212
Proponent(s): Jerome Reedy

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:

  • 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 in these areas meet specified health, safety, and environmental requirements by January 1, 2025. (22-0006)

1964. (23-0022)
ADDS ONE-SEMESTER PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/09/2023 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 05/08/2024 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 05/08/2024 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 601,317
(25% of Signatures Reached 12/13/2023 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Christopher Lee Kaufman, Timothy J. Ranzetta

Adds one-semester personal finance course to existing graduation requirements for public high school students (including those attending charter schools) beginning with the graduating class in 2030. Requires schools to begin offering the course by the 2026-27 school year. This course would be in addition to currently required one-semester economics course, which may—but is not required to—include personal finance curriculum. Students may fulfill new requirement by completing an existing University of California-approved personal finance course, or a new course approved by a school’s governing body. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential increased costs to schools that could reach in the high tens of millions of dollars annually in the first few years and then likely decline over time. Costs could be related to additional teachers, curriculum development, and instructional materials and would depend on how the measure is implemented. (23-0022)

1971. (23-0029A1)
EXPANDS STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 12/27/2023 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 06/21/2024 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 06/21/2024 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 601,317
(25% of Signatures Reached 01/26/2024 (PDF))
Proponent(s): Ann-Louise Kuhns

Expands California Children’s Services Program, which provides health care to low-middle income children under 21 with specified medical conditions, by requiring state to provide:

  • financial assistance to families not eligible for Program services for certain out-of-pocket treatment costs for covered conditions;
  • new annual grants to hospitals that provide Program services;
  • increased payment rates for physicians that are at least the federal Medicare rate; and
  • coverage for additional medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, certain infectious diseases, and cerebral palsy that are currently covered only by regulation, not by statute.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: State General Fund cost potentially ranging in the hundreds of millions of dollars to around a billion dollars each year to assist families with the cost of health care for children with qualifying serious and chronic diseases, as well as to increase payments to providers in the California Children’s Services program. (23-0029A1)