The Third Appellate District reversed a judgment and remanded. The court held that a legislative bond measure specifying the ballot label, summary and title to be used, without revision, in submitting the measure to the electorate violated the Political Reform Act of 1974.
Assembly Bill No. 3034, the “Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century,” provided for the issuance of $9.95 billion of general obligation bonds. As required by Cal. Const., art. XVI, §2(b), the measure would not be effective unless approved by the voters. The Legislature specified that the measure would be designated as Proposition 1A on the November 2008 ballot. The Legislature also specified the ballot label, title and summary to be used and precluded the Attorney General from revising the language other than to include a financial impact statement.
