At the July meeting, members will be voting to endorse the following State-wide ballot measures on the November ballot.
Proposition 43–Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
The measure, upon voter approval, would enact the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act, thus authorizing the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 for the purpose of financing a drinking water and water supply reliability program
Proposition 44-State Reserve Policy
The measure, upon voter approval, would alter the state’s existing requirements for the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA), as established by Proposition 58. The BSA is a rainy day fund. Prop 44 would also establish a Public School System Stabilization Account
Proposition 45-Approval of Healthcare Insurance Rates
If approved by voters, the initiative would:
- Require that health insurance rate changes must be approved by the Insurance Commissioner before taking effect.
- Require a sworn statement by health insurance companies submitting rate change requests certifying the accuracy of the information they submit to the Insurance Commissioner to justify the rate change they are proposing.
- Provide for public notice, disclosure and hearing on health insurance rate changes, and subsequent judicial review.
- Prohibit health, auto and homeowners insurers from determining policy eligibility or rates based on lack of prior coverage or credit history.
- Exempt employer large group health plans under any circumstances
Proposition 46-Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. Medical Negligence Lawsuits
If approved by voters, the initiative would:
- Increase the state’s cap on damages that can be assessed in medical negligence lawsuits to over $1 million from the current cap of $250,000.
- Require drug and alcohol testing of doctors and reporting of positive tests to the California Medical Board.
- Require the California Medical Board to suspend doctors pending investigation of positive tests and take disciplinary action if the doctor was found impaired while on duty.
- Require health care practitioners to report any doctor suspected of drug or alcohol impairment or medical negligence.
- Require health care practitioners to consult state prescription drug history database before prescribing certain controlled substances.
Proposition 47-Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. The initiative, if it is approved by voters, would reduce the penalty for most nonviolent crimes from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Proposition 48-Referendum to Overturn Indian Gaming Compacts
The initiative, if it is approved by voters, ratifies two gaming compacts (with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and the Wiyot Tribe); and it exempts execution of the compacts, certain projects, and intergovernmental agreements from the California Environmental Quality Act.
For more information on all the ballot initiatives, visit ballotpedia.org or http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures.