State lawmakers are pushing for a new state law to force Fresno County officials to place the roads and transportation tax on the November ballot, setting up a legal battle with members of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. The bill, AB 1923, would require county officials to complete the steps needed to place such an initiative before voters. Supporters argue that a 30-day economic-impact study could prevent the initiative from meeting the Aug. 7 deadline for the November November ballot. The legislation was initially intended to fund a distressed hospital loan program before lawmakers removed its original language and replaced it with provisions addressing the Fresno county roads and transport tax initiative. Unlike a tax measure referred to voters by local governments, the initiative was proposed through the "citizen initiative process" and requires approval from two-thirds of voters.