A proposed ballot measure allowing extended term limits - without facing re-election -- if legislators don't engage in re-election fund-raising or take campaign junkets can now begin collecting signatures.

The California Secretary of State's office released the measure Monday with the state Attorney General office's official title: "LEGISLATORS' TERMS IN OFFICE. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND JUNKETS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT."

Measure proponent Paul McCauley, a Southern California accountant, now has to collect signatures from 694,354 registered voters before May 7 to qualify it for a statewide ballot.

That makes it unlikely the measure will appear on any special election ballot this year.

The measure will also require the Secretary of State's office to investigate whether legislators could be eligible to serve terms without being formally re-elected.

ELSEWHERE on PolitickerCA.com:

• Proposed measure ties term limits to fundraising