Efforts to amend or repeal portions of California’s Proposition 19 (2020) are currently active, primarily focused on restoring property tax protections for intergenerational transfers.
Active Petitions & Initiatives (2026)
The primary vehicle for amending Prop 19 is the “Repeals Voter-Enacted Changes to Property Tax Rules for Transfers Between Family Members” initiative, often referred to as the “Repeal the Death Tax” or “Fix Prop 19” campaign.
Official Status: The initiative has been cleared by the Secretary of State for signature circulation.
Signature Deadline:
Proponents must collect 874,641 valid signatures from registered voters by May 5, 2026, to qualify the measure for the November 2026 ballot.
Key Goals:
Reinstate Exemptions: Restores the ability for parents to transfer their principal residence to children (or grandchildren) without property tax reassessment, regardless of the property’s value or whether the child uses it as their primary residence.
Other Property:
Allows for the transfer of up to $1 million in other real property (like rental units or family businesses) without reassessment.
Retroactive Relief:
May allow properties already reassessed under Prop 19 rules to be reassessed under the restored rules.
How to Participate
Official Website:
You can find the petition, download instructions, and sign-up for updates at RepealTheDeathTax.com or ForCalifornians.com.
Signing Requirements:
Petitions must be physically signed (wet signature) and mailed back to the proponents; digital signatures are generally not valid for ballot initiatives in California.
Legislative Advocacy:
Supporters are also encouraged to contact their state representatives to support Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 4, a legislative path to achieving similar reforms. You can find your representative using the California State Legislature search tool.
Current Prop 19 Rules (Until Amended)
As of 2026, the restrictive rules remain in effect:
Primary Residence Only:
Reassessment is only avoided if the child moves into the home within one year.
Value Cap:
If the property’s market value exceeds the factored base year value plus $1,044,586 (the 2025–2027
adjusted amount), a partial reassessment occurs.