California Proposition 117 (1990)
From Ballotpedia
California Proposition 117 was on the June 5, 1990 ballot in California as an initiated state statute, where it was approved.
Proposition 117 created a Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) and guaranteed it funded of $30 million a year for 30 years (through 2020). The funding is to be used to "acquire, enhance, or restore" specified types of lands for wildlife or open space.
- Yes: 2,572,470 (52.42%)
- No: 2,334,899 (47.58%)
Ballot language
Proposition 117 was described as, "Establishes Habitat Conservation Fund. Transfers $30 million to Fund annually from existing environmental funds and General Fund. Monies from Fund appropriated to Wildlife Conservation Board; Coastal, Tahoe, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancies; state and local parks programs. Funds to be used principally for acquisition of deer and mountain lion habitat; rare and endangered species habitat. Remaining funding for wetlands; riparian and aquatic habitat; open space; other environmental purposes. Prohibits taking of mountain lions unless for protection of life, livestock or other property. Permit for taking required, but prohibits use of poison, leg-hold or metal-jawed traps and snares. Summary of Legislative Analyst's estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: For 1990-91, approximately $18 million from Unallocated Account in Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund and $12 million from General Fund will be transferred to the Habitat Conservation Fund, unless Legislature makes transfers from other funds. In subsequent years, General Fund transfers may increase if sales of cigarettes and tobacco products decline. Estimated annual costs of managing acquired properties could exceed $1 million, supported by sources other than Habitat Conservation Fund."
Fiscal impact
The fiscal estimate provided by the California Legislative Analyst's Office said:
- "The $30 million in annual HCF funding would come from the following sources:
- 10 percent of the funds in the Proposition 99 "unallocated account."
- The remainder from the state's General Fund, less any amounts the Legislature may transfer from other existing environmental funds.
- We estimate that for 1990-91 these amounts would be $18 million from the unallocated account and $12 million from the General Fund, unless other transfers are made.
- In subsequent years, the share of funds from the General Fund (or other environmental funds) may be higher because there will be less revenues in the unallocated account as the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products decline.
- Ongoing costs to manage these properties would not come from the HCF, but would be supported by other state funds. These costs could exceed $1 million annually."
