Elections: statewide initiative and referendum petitions: disclosures.

Assembly Member Ortega proposes new transparency requirements for California's statewide ballot measures, mandating enhanced disclosures of financial backers and formal verification steps for petition signers. The legislation modifies how initiative and referendum petitions present funding information and expands ballot labels to identify measure supporters and opponents.

Under the proposed changes, petition signers must initial a statement confirming they reviewed the "Official Top Funders" disclosure before signing. The bill requires petitions to display notices about funding sources in 11-point type and adds a dedicated space for voter initials verifying disclosure review. For ballot labels, the legislation establishes formatting standards for listing supporters and opponents, including character limits and eligibility criteria for listed organizations.

The measure creates new documentation requirements for groups seeking to be listed as official supporters or opponents. Organizations must submit signed statements verifying their existence for at least four years and demonstrating either 500 donors or continuous employment of at least one full-time staff member during that period. The Secretary of State must verify these qualifications before groups can appear on ballot materials.

County election officials face expanded duties to examine petition compliance and modify ballot printing processes. While the bill constitutes a state-mandated local program, it provides for reimbursement of associated costs through existing statutory mechanisms. The provisions apply only to initiatives and referendums submitted after the legislation takes effect, with certain requirements beginning January 1, 2025.