California law requires proponents of a statewide initiative to pay $200 to the state to begin the process. After receipt of the fee, the state writes a proposed description of the idea, which is then printed on initiative petitions by the proponents. Assemblymembers Evan Low (D-Campbell) and Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) have introduced AB 1100. It raises the fee to $8,000. A better idea might be to require proponents to file a list of perhaps 250 registered voters who would indicate that they represent the group behind the idea. Here is a press release from the co-authors, saying that they introduced the bill because recently an individual filed the “Sodomite Suppression Act”, calling for execution of anyone who engages in same-sex behavior.
Ballot Access News - California Bill to Raise Filing Fee to File a Proposed Initiative from $200 to $8,000
