Improper signature-gathering tactics.

Existing law makes it a crime punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment, for a person to make a false affidavit concerning any initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended to a petition. This bill would make it a crime punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment, for a person, company, organization, company official, or other organizational officer in charge of a person who circulates an initiative, referendum, or recall petition and who knowingly directs an affiant to make a false affidavit concerning the initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended to the petition or who knows or reasonably should know that an affiant has made a false affidavit concerning the initiative, referendum, or recall petition or the signatures appended and submits the section of the petition that contains the false affidavit. By establishing a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.