To quote from a guide provided by the California Secretary of State:
Pursuant to article II, section 9, of the California Constitution, a referendum is the power of the electors to approve or reject any statute enacted by the Legislature. A referendum cannot be used on urgency statutes, statutes calling elections, or statutes providing for tax levies or appropriations for current expenses of the state.
...the California Constitution requires that the process must be completed within ninety days of the enactment of the bill that is being referred. The signature requirements are the same for a referendum as an initiative statute. [The number of signatures must be equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. (Cal. Const., art. II, § 8(b); § 9035) The total number of signatures required for initiative statutes, which qualify for circulation before the November 2002 gubernatorial election, is 419,260.]
So given enough money (which should be available from all the organizations lined up against it), some good political consultants, and a quick enough reaction time, it is possible to force it onto the ballot and then defeat it.
If you follow the link that you posted, there's a list of organizations that are against the bill.
We tried the referendum with our Assualt Weapon Ban and couldn't get the needed signatures. Most people don't know/care. I'd really like a state with a lot lower population. Less people, less twits.
I concur, This issue is a bigger slam dunk than Prop 22(prohibiting legal unions betwix the sexually confused)
As for the timing, the window for Nov 2002 is closed, me thinks it closes 6 months before an election.
If "Gay" Davis signs AB 1493, look for an counter-prop in March -or- Nov 2004.
the new law would start biting in 2005.