SCA 1

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing constitutional provisions require each house of the Legislature to pass a bill appropriating money from the General Fund, except appropriations for the public schools, by a 23 vote. This measure would provide, as an exception to this vote requirement, that if the total amount of General Fund appropriations in a Budget Bill, as defined, for the ensuing fiscal year combined with all other General Fund appropriations for that fiscal year on the date of passage does not exceed by 5% or more the amount of General Fund appropriations for the immediately preceding fiscal year, as determined by the Department of Finance, the Budget Bill may be passed by a majority vote. (2) Existing constitutional provisions provide that a statute takes immediate effect upon enactment if the statute calls for an election, provides for a tax levy or makes an appropriation for the usual and current expenses of the state, or is an urgency statute. The California Constitution exempts these statutes from the referendum, which is the power of the electors to approve or reject statutes or parts of statutes. This measure would provide that statutes enacting a Budget Bill meeting the condition set forth in (1) above also take effect immediately, and are not subject to referendum.