Initiatives and Referenda Withdrawn or Failed to Qualify

This page contains a list of proposed initiative and referendum measures that during the last 60 days have been withdrawn by proponents or have failed to gather the required number of signatures during the circulation period. 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: 11/22/21
Final Random Sample Count: 7/05/22 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 07/05/22 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 997,139
(25% of Signatures Reached 02/15/22 (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: 12/08/21 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 07/22/22 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 07/22/22 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 623,212 
(25% of Signatures Reached 02/03/22 (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: 02/03/22
Final Full Check: 02/01/2023 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 02/01/23 (PDF)
Removed 06/25/2024
Signatures Required: 997,139
(25% of Signatures Reached 03/16/22 (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: 09/16/22
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.

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

Summary Date: 09/29/22
Final Random Sample Count: 02/03/23 (PDF)
QUALIFIED: 02/03/23 (PDF); VOIDED: 09/11/23 (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)

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 Constitution 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)

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

Summary Date: 11/09/23 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 05/08/24 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 05/08/24 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 601,317
(25% of Signatures Reached 12/13/23 (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)

1965. (23-0023A1)
INCREASES PRISON SENTENCES AND REQUIRES WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE HOMICIDE CHARGES FOR DISTRIBUTING CERTAIN DRUGS RESULTING IN DEATH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/09/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/07/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651 
Failed 05/20/2024
Proponent(s): Matthew Capelouto

Creates new mandatory minimum of 10- to 12-year prison sentence—in addition to possible homicide charges—for distributing certain opiates that cause a user’s death, and makes such offense subject to enhanced penalties under Three Strikes Law. Requires courts to advise individuals convicted of drug offenses for specified drugs (including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and PCP) that they can be charged with homicide in the future if someone dies from taking a drug they provide. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state criminal justice system costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to an increase in the state prison population. Reduced county criminal justice system costs likely in the millions of dollars annually, primarily due to a reduction in the number of people in county jail and under county community supervision. (23-0023A1)

1967. (23-0025A1)
LIMITS ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGING NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION. CAPS DEVELOPMENT FEES ON NEW HOUSING. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/13/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/13/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 05/24/2024
Proponent(s): Stephen Hilton

Prohibits private parties from filing lawsuits challenging new housing construction based on alleged non-compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Authorizes only district attorneys to file such lawsuits, as well as the Attorney General if the project is located in multiple counties. Caps fees that local and state agencies may impose on builders for construction of new homes and related infrastructure. Caps do not apply to regulatory costs authorized by statute, school district fees, bond repayments, or costs of providing utility service and roadway access to new homes. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Reduced local government development fee revenue, likely at least hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and potentially exceeding $1 billion per year. Uncertain, but potentially significant, savings to state and local governments as a result of lower project costs due to fewer CEQA lawsuits being filed against public projects. (23-0025A1)

1968. (23-0026A1)
REQUIRES STATE FUNDING OF RELIGIOUS AND NONRELIGIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.
No counties have submitted raw signature counts at this time.

Summary Date: 11/17/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/15/24 | Signatures Required: 874,641
Failed 05/29/2024
Proponent(s): Kevin McNamee, Marion A. Marshall, Maria Flores, Cecilia Iglesias, Benito Bernal

Requires state to provide yearly voucher payments ($17,000 initially, adjusted annually) into Education Savings Accounts for California residents in grades TK-12 attending religious and nonreligious private schools anywhere in the United States. Payments will come from General Fund and property tax revenues currently allocated to public schools (including charter schools). Eliminates constitutional prohibition on state funding of religious and nonreligious private schools. Prohibits state from requiring certain curriculum, disciplinary, or teacher credentialing policies as condition of funding. Creates privately appointed board to distribute payments of public funds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs, likely ranging from $6.3 billion to $10 billion per year, to provide funding for students currently enrolled in private schools. The state could pay for these costs with revenues currently reserved for public schools (or other programs in the state budget). To the extent public school students shift to private schools, the state would have additional costs—likely at least several billion dollars annually—that would be offset by lower spending on public schools. Over time, state costs for public school facilities probably would decrease by a couple hundred million dollars per year. Public schools would experience reductions in state funding and some federal and local funding—as well as reductions in various costs—based on decreases in their enrollment. All of these effects assume the state can legally implement the program to its full extent. (23-0026A1)

1969. (23-0027A2)
RESTRICTS RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 11/29/23 | Circulation Deadline: 05/28/24 | Signatures Required: 546,651
Failed 06/10/2024
Proponent(s): Jonathan Zachreson

• Requires public and private schools and colleges to: restrict gender-segregated facilities like bathrooms to persons assigned that gender at birth; prohibit transgender female students (grades 7+) from participating in female sports. Repeals law allowing students to participate in activities and use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
• Requires schools to notify parents whenever a student under 18 asks to be treated as a gender differing from school records without exception for student safety.
• Prohibits gender-affirming health care for transgender patients under 18, even if parents consent or treatment is medically recommended.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potentially minor savings in state and local health care costs of up to 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. Minor administrative and workload costs to schools, colleges, and universities, up to several millions of dollars initially. Potential, but unknown, cost pressures to state and local governments related to federal fiscal penalties if the measure results in federally funded schools, colleges, universities, or health care providers being deemed out of compliance with federal law. (23-0027A2)

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

Summary Date: 12/27/23 (PDF)
Final Random Sample Count: 06/21/24 (PDF)
ELIGIBLE: 06/21/2024 (PDF)
Withdrawn: 06/27/2024
Signatures Required: 601,317
(25% of Signatures Reached 01/26/24 (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)