Proposal Authorizes Attorney General to Label Potentially Unconstitutional Measures on Signature Petitions
Proposal Authorizes Attorney General to Label Potentially Unconstitutional Measures on Signature Petitions
Sacramento, CA – The Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee today approved Assemblyman Anthony Rendon’s (D-Lakewood) initiative reform proposal that authorizes the Attorney General to label potentially unconstitutional measures on signature petitions.
“The recently proposed anti-gay ballot measure violates the spirit of the initiative system,” said Rendon. “Voters should be informed when they sign on to a potentially unconstitutional proposal.”
Assembly Bill 884 authorizes California’s Attorney General to determine whether a proposed initiative “would likely result in a violation of an individual’s constitutional rights.” If so, the bill requires the Attorney General to place the following notice on the initiative’s title and summary and signature petitions:
“The Attorney General has determined that this initiative measure, if approved by the voters, would likely result in a violation of an individual’s rights under the United States Constitution or the California Constitution.”
AB 884 comes in light of the so-called “Sodomite Suppression Act,” which violates several fundamental constitutional rights by imposing the death penalty on anyone participating in sodomy and banning messages of tolerance for the LGBT community to minors.
Assemblyman Anthony Rendon is serving in his second term representing the 63rd Assembly District, which includes the cities and communities of Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, North Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, and South Gate. Rendon is chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce and serves on the following committees: Water, Parks and Wildlife; Natural Resources; Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security; and Appropriations.
CONTACT: Kevin Liao, Office: (916) 319-2063, Cell: (408) 667-5650