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HomeElections CodeDiv. 9Ch. 1Art. 1§ 9004 Initiative Title And Summary

§ 9004 Initiative Title And Summary

Elections Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 9004 Initiative Title And Summary

Key Takeaways

  • •The Attorney General writes a short (100 words or less) title and summary for any new law idea from the public.
  • •This title and summary must be ready within 15 days after getting money details about the idea.
  • •The Secretary of State tells everyone (including the people who suggested the idea and all counties) about the title, summary, and important deadlines.

Example

A group of people want to make a new law to ban plastic bags in stores.

The Attorney General writes a short and clear title and summary for this idea. Then, the Secretary of State sends this to the group and all counties, along with the deadlines for when the idea needs to be turned in and checked.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9004 Initiative Title And Summary

(a) Upon receipt of the text of a proposed initiative measure, and after the public review period provided for in Section 9002, the Attorney General shall prepare a circulating title and summary of the chief purposes and points of the proposed measure. The circulating title and summary shall not exceed 100 words. The Attorney General shall also provide a unique numeric identifier for each proposed initiative measure. The circulating title and summary shall be prepared in the manner provided for the preparation of ballot titles and summaries in Article 5 (commencing with Section 9050), the provisions of which, in regard to the preparation, filing, and settlement of ballot titles and summaries, are applicable to the circulating title and summary. (b) The Attorney General shall provide a copy of the circulating title and summary and its unique numeric identifier to the proponents and to the Secretary of State within 15 days after receipt of the fiscal estimate or opinion prepared by the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst pursuant to Section 9005. The date the copy is delivered or mailed to the proponents is the “official summary date.” (c) Upon receipt of the circulating title and summary from the Attorney General, the Secretary of State shall, within one business day, notify the proponents and county elections official of each county of the official summary date and provide a copy of the circulating title and summary to each county elections official. This notification shall also include a complete schedule showing the maximum filing deadline, and the certification deadline by the counties to the Secretary of State. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 697, Sec. 6. (SB 1253) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

official summary date.the attorney generaltitlepreparationthe california attorneylegislative analysteffective januaryelection

Related Statutes

  • § 9005 Initiative Financial Impact Disclosure
  • § 9011 Referendum Petition Formatting Rules
  • § 9012 Initiative Petition Format Requirements
  • § 9006 Referendum Title And Summary
  • § 9007 Initiative Measure Legislative Review

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Elections Code. Section 9004.
View Official Source