Reggie Jones-Sawyer
- Democratic
- Assemblymember
- District 57
Author
Existing law, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, provides that a change in voting procedures may not take effect in a state or political subdivision that is covered by the preclearance requirements of the federal act until the change is approved by a specified federal authority. A state or political subdivision is covered by the preclearance requirements of the federal act if it maintained a specified test or device as a prerequisite to voting, and had low voter registration or turnout, in the 1960s and early 1970s. The federal act allows a state or political subdivision covered by the act to obtain an exemption from the preclearance requirements if it satisfies specified criteria. The United States Supreme Court has held that the coverage formula of the federal act is unconstitutional and may not be used as a basis for requiring a jurisdiction to subject a proposed change in voting procedures to federal preclearance. Before that holding, the Counties of Kings, Monterey, and Yuba were covered jurisdictions subject to the federal preclearance requirements. This bill would establish a state preclearance system. Under this system, if a covered political subdivision, as defined, enacts or seeks to administer a voting-related law, regulation, or policy, as specified, that is different from that in force or effect on the date this act is enacted, the governing body of the covered political subdivision would be required to submit the law, regulation, or policy to the Secretary of State for approval. The bill would require the Secretary of State to approve the law, regulation, or policy only if specified conditions are met. The bill would provide that the law, regulation, or policy will not take effect or be administered in the covered political subdivision until the law, regulation, or policy is approved by the Secretary of State, except as specified. The bill would allow the governing body of the covered political subdivision to seek review of the Secretary of State's decision by means of an action filed in the Superior Court of Sacramento. By requiring local governments to seek approval of the Secretary of State for changes to voting procedures, this 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.
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Vetoed by Governor.
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 26. Noes 14. Page 2458.).
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 27).
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 51. Noes 26. Page 1790.)
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 5.) (May 28).
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Read second time and amended.
Read second time and amended.
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (April 29).
Read first time.
From printer. May be heard in committee March 31.
Introduced. To print.
| Bill Text Versions | Format |
|---|---|
| AB1301 | HTML |
| 02/27/15 - Introduced | |
| 05/05/15 - Amended Assembly | |
| 05/12/15 - Amended Assembly | |
| 09/09/15 - Enrolled |
| Document | Format |
|---|---|
| No related documents. |
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