Senate Bill 1223 of 2000

Senate Bill 1223 (Burton-2000) Chapter 102, Statutes of 2000 Senate Bill 1223 was introduced on February 26, 1999 by Senator John Burton. (See Exhibit #1a) Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 1223 on July 7, 2000, and it was recorded by the Secretary of State on that date as Chapter 102 of the Statutes of 2000. (See Exhibits #1d and #2) The Conference Completed analysis of Senate Bill 1223 as last amended prepared by the Office of Senate Floor Analyses provides the following overview of the measure: SB 1223 would place a campaign finance reform measure on the November 7, 2000 ballot that would impose limits on contributions to candidates and committees for the purpose of seeking, supporting, or opposing candidacies for elective state office. This measure would also: institute voluntary limits on campaign expenditures for candidates seeking elective state office; impose specified disclosure requirements, specified penalties and enforcement procedures; and regulate the use of surplus campaign funds. This bill would not repeal Proposition 208 in its entirety - it does however repeal provisions of Proposition 208 which were deemed unconstitutional. (See Exhibit #13, page 4) An Enrolled Bill Report prepared by the Department of Finance provides the following analysis of Senate Bill 1223: This bill is intended to address concerns with campaign reform initiatives in previous years that have been struck down by the courts due to technical problems and various issues of unconstitutionality, including provisions of Proposition 68, 73 (both approved in 1988) and 208 (which is currently still being decided on in the U.S. Circuit of Appeals). While the merits of the approach to campaign financing proposed in this bill will likely be questioned by some, it seems reasonable that the issue be placed before the voters. (See Exhibit #15, document PE-4) The law that was proposed by Senate Bill 1223 was submitted to the electorate in California as Proposition 34 in 2000. Our review of legislation introduced during previous legislative sessions revealed three bills that appeared to proposed changes similar to those contained in Senate Bill 1223. The complete Legislative History Report and Analysis and documents with authenticating declaration expands upon the information above. In addition to available legislative file materials from the Assembly and Senate Committees, the author and the Governor, our research typically includes review for competitor and predecessor bills, interim reports, hearings, studies and other relevant background documentation unique to this legislation. To order a complete report, please contact us at Legislative Intent Service or by calling us toll free at 1-800-666-1917.