CAPITOL UPDATE #17 May 12, 2022

Currently, there are four (4) ballot initiatives that have qualified for the November 2022 election.  Ballot initiatives appear only during a general election in November.  The initiatives that are proposed and still in the signature-gathering stage, have to be submitted to the State and all signatures verified by June 30, 2022.  Here is a short summary of the four that have qualified.  No ballot numbers have yet been assigned.  Click here for more info: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS CAP INITIATIVE

This measure would increase California’s cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits based on changes in inflation since 1974 when the cap was set at $250,000.  The initiative would require an annual adjustment of the cap based on inflation.  This would allow judges and juries to award damages above the cap for catastrophic injuries defined as death, permanent physical impairment, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability, or permanent loss of consortium.  The initiative would also replace language about non-economic damages with quality of life damages and survivor damages.  A yes vote supports the initiative to increase California’s cap of $250,000, a no vote opposes the initiative, leaving the cap at $250,000.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS BAN REFERENDUM

This is an attempt to overturn SB 793 which was signed into law on August 2, 2020. SB 793 was designed to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers with the exception of hookah tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco and premium cigars.  Retailers would be fined  $250 for each violation. The official ballot title is, “Referendum Challenging a 2020 law prohibiting retail sale of certain flavored tobacco products.”  A yes vote upholds SB 793, a no vote is to repeal the legislation.

AUTHORIZES NEW TYPES OF GAMBLING.  INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY AMENDMENT

Allows federally recognized Native American tribes to operate roulette, dice games, and sports wagering on tribal lands, subject to compacts negotiated by the Governor and ratified by the Legislature.  Beginning in 2022, allows on-site sports wagering at only privately operated horse-racing tracks in four specified counties for persons 21 years or older.  Imposes a 10% tax on sports-wagering profits at horse-racing tracks, and directs a portion of revenues to enforcement and problem-gambling programs.  Prohibits marketing of sports wagering to persons under 21.  Authorizes private lawsuits to enforce other gambling laws. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: increased state revenues, potentially reaching the tens of millions of dollars annually from payments made by facilities offering sports wagering and new civil penalties authorized by this measure. 

PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION REGULATIONS INITIATIVE

This ballot measure would require the California Dept. of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, in consultation with other agencies, to adopt regulations that reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging and food ware.  The regulations are aimed at producers to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and sets a goal of a 25% reduction by 2030, requires them to use recycled and renewable materials, increase availability of recycling opportunities for consumers, and establish labeling standards to help in sorting discarded single-use plastic packaging and prohibits food vendors from distributing expanded polystyrene food service containers.  There is also a proposed fee, called the California Plastic Pollution Reduction Fee on single-use plastic packaging and food ware.
 

Find/contact your local Legislators, click HERE to inquire, or let them know your opinion about bills or issues.

To contact your U.S. Representatives, call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121

Listen to hearings on bills that interest you – http://www.legislature.ca.gov/the_state_legislature/calendar_and_schedules/audio_tv.html 

California Legislative Portal links – Express your support or opposition to a bill directly to the Legislative committee currently reviewing it (as an individual, not as a member of RWF or CFRW) – click here, or the bill’s author- click here, enter your bill # and look for the tab at top of the bill page labeled “Comments to Author”.