Bill Text: CA SB163 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Bail: pretrial release.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Assembly without further action. [SB163 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB163-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 163	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hertzberg

                        FEBRUARY 4, 2015

   An act to add Section 3000.5 to the Elections Code, relating to
elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 163, as introduced, Hertzberg. Elections: vote by mail ballot.
   Existing law requires the vote by mail ballot to be available to
any registered voter and requires an application for a vote by mail
voter's ballot to be made in writing to the elections official having
jurisdiction over the election between certain days before the
election.
   This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would require county
elections officials to issue a vote by mail ballot to every
registered voter in the county for statewide primary, special, and
general elections. The bill would include findings and declarations
related to vote by mail ballots. By requiring county elections
officials to issue a vote by mail ballot to every registered voter,
the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) In maintaining a healthy democracy in California, it is
important to encourage and ensure that the residents of the state
have the tools needed to participate in every election.
   (b) On average, in California counties 46.2 percent of voters
receive their ballots by mail.
   (c) Recent studies show that registered voters who automatically
receive their ballots by mail are more likely to vote.
   (d) Broadening the ability of California residents to engage in
the democratic process will yield more representative election
results and will ensure that the voices of more California residents
are heard.
  SEC. 2.  Section 3000.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   3000.5.  Notwithstanding any other law, a county elections
official shall issue a vote by mail ballot to every registered voter
in the county for statewide primary, special, and general elections.
The distribution of vote by mail ballots to all registered voters
shall not prevent registered voters from exercising their right to
vote at their designated precinct polling locations.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.