An initiative that would have restricted state and local officials’ authority to issue orders restricting business or school operations during public-health and certain other emergencies failed to collect enough signatures to be placed before voters on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot.
The initiative would have also limited similar orders during storm, drought, energy shortage, or cyberterrorism. It would have also limited the orders’ duration to 30 days, unless extended by Legislature or local governing body, and would have prohibited orders from distinguishing between businesses based on size.
The initiative also would have required orders to permit schools to remain open to the maximum extent possible, and required online publication of information justifying orders, and would prohibit officials from relying on other information to defend orders against legal challenges. The Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance reported the fiscal impact on state and local governments were unknown, due to requirements that could change the use of shutdown orders during emergencies. ■