Prop. 65 Kit: A Quick Reference Guide to California's Proposition 65

Posted: 15-Dec-2003; Updated: 09-Feb-2006

This information on California's landmark Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (formerly published as "www.prop65kit.org") includes the full text of a number of historical documents, press articles, academic analyses, testimonies before Congress, and complete background materials on the creation and enactment of Proposition 65, as well as efforts over the years on the state or federal levels to preempt its provisions or overturn it.  Many hyperlinks are to .pdf files.  To download and view these files free Adobe Reader software is required.

History, Documents and Controversies

• Introduction:
  • Innovative Approach
  • Why Controversial?
• Text and Official Documents (text of statute and amendments, ballot arguments, list of chemicals covered, testimonies, agency reviews, and litigated cases)
• Official Positions on Preemption of Proposition 65 and Timeline (including official positions of Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations, findings from California Attorney General's office, letters from U.S. senators, and positions of industry groups, as well as history of attempts to preempt its provisions)
• Track Record (fact sheets and data pertaining to Proposition 65's impacts)
• Published Reports: Press Coverage, Academic Analysis (articles and op-eds)
• Continuing Controversy (outcome of continuing debates, efforts to preempt, and obstacles to effective enforcement)

Prepared by David Roe, former Senior Attorney for Environmental Defense, Proposition 65's principal author and one of its two original sponsors when it went on the California statewide ballot in 1986.