Voter guide to California's 2016 propositions

(FOX 11) - Here's a summary of California's 17 propositions on the ballot to get familiar with before you vote on Nov. 8.

Prop 51: Authorizes $9 billion in school bonds for construction and modernization projects of K-12 schools and community colleges. Official summary here.

Prop 52: The federal government's Medicaid program helps pay for health care services provided to low-income patients. In California, the program is called Medi-Cal. A yes vote would make it harder for state legislature to divert funds that are supposed to be spent on the Medi-Cal program. Official summary here.

Prop 53: Requires a statewide vote on revenue bonds bigger than $2 billion for a project that is funded, owned or managed by the state--like the bullet train. Revenue bonds are repaid using revenue the project generates, such as toll roads for a new highway. Official summary here.

Prop 54: Requires legislation to be posted online at least 72 hours for a final vote. A yes vote would also require all the legislature's public meetings be recorded and posted online. Official summary here.

Prop 55: A yes vote means income tax increases on high-income taxpayers, which are scheduled to end after 2018, would instead be extended through 2030. The revenue would go toward K-12 schools, California community colleges and healthcare programs. Official summary here.

Prop 56: Raises the cigarette tax by $2 a pack, with the same increases on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. The money would be used primarily for healthcare and smoking prevention. Official summary here.

Prop 57: Allows parole consideration for nonviolent felons. The state prison system could award additional sentencing credits to inmates for good behavior or education. A yes vote would also mean judges, instead of prosecutors, would decide whether to try juveniles as young as 14 in adult court. Official summary here.

Prop 58: Repeals a key provision of the 1998 Proposition 227, the "English in Public Schools" initiative. Public schools could more easily choose how to teach English learners, whether in English-only, bilingual, or other types of programs. Official summary here.

Prop 59: A yes vote asks California elected officials to seek increased regulation of campaign spending and contributions by overturning the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission decision -- potentially through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Official summary here.

Prop 60: Requires performers in adult films to use condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as producers to pay for performer vaccinations, testing and medical examinations. Official summary here.

Prop 61: Requires state agencies to pay the same price that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for prescription drugs. Official summary here.

Prop 62: Repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life without parole. If passed, it would apply to those already sentenced to death. The initiative would also send more money from inmates' prison work wages to victim restitution. Official summary here.

Prop 63: Requires a background check and Department of Justice authorization to purchase ammunition and prohibits possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. It would also establish new rules for keeping guns away from felons. Official summary here.

Prop 64: Legalizes marijuana for use by adults 21 and older under state law. It would also impose state taxes on retail sales and on growers of non-medical marijuana. Official summary here.

Prop 65: Redirects money collected by grocery and other stores through the mandated sale of carryout bags and requires proceeds to go into a special fund for specified environmental projects. Official summary here.

Prop 66: If passed, it would change the court appeals process for death sentences to shorten the time it takes. It would designate superior court for initial petitions and limit successive petitions. Official summary here.

Prop 67: A 'yes' vote approves and a 'no' vote rejects a statute prohibiting grocery and other stores from handing out single-use plastic or paper carryout bags, but permits the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags. Official summary here.

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