Beverly Hills Municipal Code Ch. 10 Referendum

CIRCULATOR: A person who presents to other persons for possible signature a referendum petition relating to a City ordinance.

REFERENDUM FINANCIER: Actual legal name of any person(s) whose cumulative contributions, whether cash or in kind, to a Ballot Measure Committee as defined in section 1-8-2 of this title, or otherwise, to support or oppose a referendum, total ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or more. There may be more than one referendum financier. (Ord. 19-O-2787, eff. 10-18-2019)

A. A circulator who has not been paid, or promised to be paid, for circulating a referendum petition relating to a City ordinance shall, at all times while circulating wear on his or her person in a visible location an identification badge with a blue-colored outer border that includes the words "VOLUNTEER CIRCULATOR" in bold-faced type that is clearly legible and has a font size of at least 16 points.

B. A circulator who has been paid, or is promised to be paid, for circulating a referendum petition relating to a City ordinance shall, at all times while circulating wear on his or her person in a visible location an identification badge with a yellow- colored outer border that includes the words "PAID CIRCULATOR" in bold-faced type that is clearly legible and has a font size of at least 16 points. The identification badge shall also include in boldfaced type that is clearly legible and has a font size of at least 12 points the name and telephone number of the individual or entity employing the circulator as well as any referendum financier; provided, however, if an entity employing such circulator is a signature gathering service, then the name of the individual or entity employing such signature gathering service shall be disclosed. If there is more than one referendum financier, then the identification badge shall list the top three (3) referendum financiers by contribution amount.

C. The City Clerk shall maintain and make available on request an example of each of the identification badges required by this section. (Ord. 19-O-2787, eff. 10-18-2019)

The City Attorney shall prepare a 500-word or less impartial analysis of the ordinance subject to referendum showing the effect of the ordinance on the existing law upon the earlier of the following: a) within five (5) business days of direction by the City Manager; or b) within five (5) business days of filing by a referendum financier a legislative advocate registration form pursuant to section 1-9-105 of this title. The impartial analysis shall be posted on the City's website. (Ord. 19-O-2787, eff. 10-18-2019)

Any person may make a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter, or of the provisions of chapter 9 of this title relating to referendum petitions, by submitting the complaint in writing to the City Clerk's Office. The City Clerk shall transmit such complaints to the City Attorney, who shall determine which office of the City shall investigate the complaint. The City Attorney or his designee shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing to the complainant within two (2) business days of receiving the complaint from the City Clerk. (Ord. 19-O-2787, eff. 10-18-2019)