(1) Existing law authorizes a proposed ordinance to be submitted to a county board of supervisors, a legislative body of a city, or the governing board of a district by filing an initiative petition with the appropriate elections official, signed by not less than a specified number of voters. Existing law requires the election for the initiative, if it qualifies, to be held at the next election occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of election.

This bill would authorize the proponent of a county, municipal, or district initiative to withdraw the initiative at any time before the 88th day before the election, whether or not the petition has already been found sufficient by the elections official. Because the exercise of this authority would impose associated duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(2) 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 the statutory provisions noted above.