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Senate fast‑tracks ACA 21 and ACA 22 amid procedural questions; both pass
Summary
ACA 21 (to withdraw a prior ACA from the ballot) and ACA 22 (to raise special tax thresholds to 2/3) passed the Senate after floor debate about procedural deadlines and legal vehicles to remove a measure from the ballot.
The Senate took up two related constitutional items late in the session.
ACA 21 directs the Secretary of State to withdraw a previously referred measure (ACA 13) from the ballot. During floor debate, several senators raised procedural concerns about whether an assembly concurrent resolution (rather than an ACA) would have been the correct vehicle and whether the Secretary of State could act before a 5:00 p.m. deadline. Senator Grove pressed for a firm commitment that legal counsel would resolve the timing and procedural issues; Pro Tem Limon and sponsor Senator Ashby said legislative counsel had opined a subsequent ACA with a two‑thirds vote could remove a prior ACA from the ballot.
ACA 22 would require a 0.667 (two‑thirds) vote threshold for future special taxes for local governments effective Jan. 1, 2027. Senator Gonzales framed ACA 22 as protecting core local services — police, fire, parks and health programs — by clarifying thresholds for special taxes.
Both measures passed the Senate: ACA 21 passed with recorded vote Aye 35, No 0; ACA 22 passed Aye 35, No 1. Sponsors said legal counsel would address technical questions in the coming session days to ensure the Secretary of State implements the intended outcome without voter confusion.
Quote attribution: all quotes and attributions are drawn from the floor transcript.
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