Props in brief

Voters in California will consider six propositions on Nov. 4. Here’s a breakdown:

• Proposition 1: The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act would, upon voter approval, direct $7.1 billion in general obligation bonds to a host of water-related causes, including $2.7 billion for storage projects, dams and reservoirs; $1.5 billion for competitive grants for ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration; $900 million for groundwater contamination prevention and cleanup; $725 million for water recycling and water-treatment technologies; and $520 million and $395 million for water-quality and flood-management projects, respectively.

• Proposition 2: The Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund Act would require an annual transfer of 1.5 percent of general fund revenues to the state budget stabilization account (BSA) and that half of those revenues be used to repay state debts; allow limited use of those funds in case of emergency or if there is a state budget deficit; caps the BSA at 10 percent of general fund revenues and directs the remainder to infrastructure.

• Proposition 45: The Public Notice Required for Insurance Company Rates Initiative would require that health insurance rate changes be reviewed by the California Insurance Commissioner prior to taking effect; provide public notice and hearing on health insurance rate changes and allow for judicial review; exempt large employer-provided health plans; and prohibit health, auto and homeowners insurers from setting policy rates or determining eligibility based on lack of prior coverage or credit history.

• Proposition 46: The Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Cap and Drug Testing Doctors Initiative would raise the cap of nonmonetary damages that can be assessed in a medical negligence case from $250,000 to more than $1 million; require drug and alcohol testing of doctors and require positive tests be reported to the California Medical Board; require the board suspend doctors suspected of impairment pending investigation; require health care practitioners to report any doctor suspected of impairment or medical negligence; and require consultation of the state’s drug history database when prescribing certain controlled substances.

• Proposition 47: The Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative would reduce the classification of “nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crimes” from felony to misdemeanor, unless the defendant has prior convictions of murder, rape, or certain sex offenses and drug crimes. The measure also would permit resentencing for anyone currently serving a prison term for those offenses.

• Proposition 48: The Referendum on Indian Gaming Compacts would overturn Assembly Bill 277, which gives the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and the Wiyot Tribe permission to build a casino on lands away from their designated reservation. A “yes” vote would uphold the legislation; a “no” vote would overturn the deal.