AB-1853 • 2026

Statewide referendum measures: fiscal impact statements.

Elections

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Pellerin
Last action: 2026-04-09
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how fiscal impact statements will be formatted in ballot labels.

Statewide Referendum Measures: Fiscal Impact Statements

This legislation clarifies that fiscal impact statements must be included in ballot labels and voter information guides for statewide referendum measures.

What This Bill Does

Clarifies that the condensed summary on the ballot label must contain the fiscal impact statement.
Ensures that the concise summary in the voter information guide includes the general meaning and effect of votes to keep or overturn laws.

Who It Names or Affects

Voters who participate in statewide referendums
The Legislative Analyst’s Office responsible for preparing impartial analyses

Terms To Know

Fiscal impact statement: A description of how a proposed law might affect the state's finances, including potential costs or savings.
Legislative Analyst’s Office: The office responsible for providing impartial analyses and fiscal estimates to help lawmakers understand the impacts of legislation.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how the fiscal impact statement will be formatted or detailed in ballot labels.
Does not address the process for updating voter information guides beyond requiring concise summaries.

Bill History

2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 0.)
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 25).
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1853, as introduced, Pellerin.
Statewide referendum measures: fiscal impact statements.
Existing law requires the Legislative Analyst to prepare an impartial analysis of a statewide measure that includes a fiscal analysis. If it is estimated that the measure will result in increased cost to the state, the Legislative Analyst must provide an analysis of the measure’s estimated impact on the state. For a referendum measure, existing law requires the ballot label to consist of a condensed title in the form of a question and a condensed summary of the chief purposes and points of the law, and limits the combined condensed title and summary to 75 words.
This bill would clarify that the condensed summary that appears on the ballot label includes the fiscal impact statement.
Existing law requires the state voter information guide to contain a section near the front of the guide that provides a
concise summary of the general meaning and effect of “yes” and “no” votes on each state measure.
This bill would clarify that for a statewide referendum measure, the concise summary must provide the general meaning and effect of a vote to “keep the law” and “overturn the law.”

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF