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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - AB 1772 AB 1779 AB 1802 AB 1804 AB 1848 SB 905 SB 923 SB 928Agenda Item: 16 1. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: TAA,/� DATE: February 27, 2024 SUBJECT: STATE LEGISLATION: AB 1772, AB 1779, AB 1802, AB 1804, AB 1848, SB 905, SB 923, and SB 928 DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Support AB 1772 (Ramos), AB 1779 (Irwin), AB 1802 (Jones -Sawyer), AB 1804 (Patterson), AB 1848 (Davies), SB 905 (Wiener), SB 923 (Archuleta), and SB 928 (Niello). 2. Transmit position statements to the authors of the bills, Santa Clarita's state legislative delegation, appropriate legislative committees, Governor Newsom, and other stakeholder organizations. BACKGROUND The following state legislative items were presented to the City Council Legislative Committee on February 13, 2024. Included as part of this report is a brief summary of each piece of legislation and its current status in the state legislative process. All of the state legislative items are related to public safety and various attempts to amend Proposition 47 (2014). Proposition 47 (2014) titled, "The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," reduced penalties for certain property and drug offenses from felonies or wobblers, which could be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. Under previous state law, shoplifting property worth $950 or less, a type of petty theft, was a misdemeanor. However, such crimes could also be charged as burglary instead, if the shoplifter intended to shoplift upon entering the store, which could be prosecuted as a felony and sentenced up to three years in prison. Proposition 47 (2014) was approved by voters (59.6 percent - 40.4 percent) on November 4, 2014, and went into effect on November 5, 2014. However, at the City level, the measure failed with 47.19 percent in favor and 52.81 percent against. Page 1 Packet Pg. 161 With the approval of Proposition 47 (2014), shoplifting property worth $950 or less is a misdemeanor, regardless of intent, and holds a sentence of up to one year in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000. According to the Public Policy Institute of California which had researchers testify to the State Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft, overall felony retail theft increased by 16 percent in 2022 compared to 2019. Commercial robbery, which includes thefts in which force is used or threatened, like some smash-and-grab thefts, increased by 13 percent over the same time period. Assemblv Bill 1772 Introduced by Assembly Member James Ramos (D-45-San Bernardino), Assembly Bill 1772 amends Proposition 47 (2014) by reinstating the ability to charge a repeat offender, convicted of petty theft or shoplifting and who has two or more prior theft -related offenses, with a felony. Subsequent to passage by the state legislature and approval by the Governor, this bill would become effective only if approved by a majority of voters through a ballot initiative at the next statewide general election. Assembly Bill 1772 was introduced on January 3, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Assembly Bill 1779 Introduced by Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin (D-42-Thousand Oaks), Assembly Bill 1779 expands the jurisdictional authority for city and county prosecutors to prosecute thefts that occur across jurisdictions. Current law restricts cross jurisdictional prosecution of many crimes, including theft by fraud, organized retail theft, and receiving stolen property to the Attorney General. This legislation seeks to expand the jurisdictional authority of local prosecutors in an effort to better target thefts involving criminal networks and organized crimes. Assembly Bill 1779 was introduced on January 3, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Assembly Bill 1802 Introduced by Assembly Member Reggie Jones -Sawyer (D-57-South Los Angeles), Assembly Bill 1802 extends the sunset to January 1, 2031, for (1) special sentences for organized retail theft to be punishable as a felony and (2) continuation of a statewide taskforce led by the California Highway Patrol to combat organized retail theft. During the 2018 legislative year, the State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1065 (Jones - Sawyer), which made retail theft three or more times within a one-year period that exceeded $950 in value, punishable as a felony. Additionally, the bill established the California Highway Page 2 Packet Pg. 162 Patrol Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF), to combat organized retail. The bill included a sunset for both provisions of January 1, 2021. During the 2021 legislative year, the State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 331 (Jones -Sawyer), extending the provisions of Assembly Bill 1065 to January 1, 2026. Since the inception of the ORCTF, there have been more than 1,850 investigations into retail crimes in California that have resulted in over 1,250 arrests, resulting in $30.7 million recovered in stolen merchandise. Assembly Bill 1802 was introduced on January 8, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Assembly Bill 1804 Introduced by Assembly Member Jim Patterson (R-8-Fresno), Assembly Bill 1804 reduces the amount of fentanyl involved in an investigation to authorize law enforcement to intercept communication involving the suspected parties. Existing law authorizes a judge, upon a finding of probable cause that an individual is committing, has committed, or is about to commit offenses involving a substance containing fentanyl that exceeds 10 gallons by liquid volume or 3 pounds of solid substance by weight, to issue an order authorizing communication interception. This bill would reduce the above -described amounts for an order authorizing communication interception to 1.67 gallons by liquid volume and 8 ounces of solid substance by weight of a substance containing fentanyl. The opioid epidemic has become a nationwide issue affecting communities across the country, including the City of Santa Clarita. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, making it a major contributor to drug overdose deaths. In 2021, more than 80,000 people died from a synthetic opioid-related drug overdose in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on preliminary 2022 data from the California Department of Public Health, there were 7,385 opioid-related overdose deaths and 6,473 deaths related to fentanyl overdoses. In 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported 32 overdoses in the Santa Clarita Valley as a result of fentanyl. Moreover, in 2022, there were 261 fentanyl-related overdose deaths among teenagers in California, ages 10-19 years old, according to the California Department of Public Health. Assembly Bill 1804 was introduced on January 8, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Page 3 Packet Pg. 163 Assembly Bill 1848 Introduced by Assembly Member Laurie Davies (R-74-Laguna Niguel), Assembly Bill 1848 adds fentanyl to an existing prosecutorial enhancement involving selling a controlled substance to a minor at youth -based facilities. Existing law applies a sentence enhancement to crimes involving the soliciting or selling of a controlled substance to a minor at a playground, religious institution, youth center, day care facility, public swimming pool, or school -related programs. The controlled substances that apply to the sentence enhancement does not include fentanyl. This bill would add fentanyl to the list of controlled substances that the special enhancement would apply to and would expand the parameters of the youth -based locations, adding a 1,000 feet radius to those locations. Assembly Bill 1848 was introduced on January 17, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Senate Bill 905 Introduced by Senator Scott Wiener (D-11-San Francisco), Senate Bill 905 removes a requirement that a vehicle must be locked in order for an individual to be convicted for vehicular burglary, making forcible entry into a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft an action punishable as a felony. In order to convict a person under the current auto burglary statute, Penal Code Section 459, the prosecutor must prove that (1) the defendant entered a locked vehicle, and (2) when the defendant entered the locked vehicle they intended to commit theft (or any other felony). The common law element of "breaking" has never been an essential element of statutory burglary in California. The only exception is auto burglary, which requires that the doors of a vehicle be locked. Some prosecutors argue that, particularly in cases where a victim is unavailable, such as with tourists who cannot return to court, while there may be concrete evidence of a break in, it may prove difficult to establish that a vehicle was locked. This bill would eliminate the prosecutor's duty to establish that a vehicle is locked, and instead require the prosecutor to prove forcible entry. Senate Bill 905 was introduced on January 5, 2024. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Senate Bill 923 Authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-30-Norwalk), Senate Bill 923 amends Proposition 47 (2014) by reinstating the ability to charge a repeat offender, convicted of petty theft or Page 4 Packet Pg. 164 shoplifting and who has two or more prior theft -related offenses, with a felony. Subsequent to passage by the State Legislature and approval by the Governor, this bill would become effective only if approved by voters through a ballot initiative at the next statewide general election through a ballot initiative. Senate Bill 923 was introduced on January 11, 2024. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. Senate Bill 928 Introduced by Senator Roger Niello (R-6-Fair Oaks), Senate Bill 928, similar to Assembly Bill 1802, extends the sunset provisions indefinitely for special sentences for organized retail theft to be punishable as a felony. Senate Bill 928 was introduced on January 12, 2024. A hearing date had not been scheduled at the time this report was developed. The recommendation to support these state legislative items is consistent with the City of Santa Clarita 2024 Executive and Legislative Platform. Specifically, Component 2 under the "State" section advises that the City Council, "Support legislative efforts to address the negative impacts of AB 109, Proposition 47, and Proposition 57 on local governments and provide local law enforcement with the appropriate tools to reduce criminal activity." ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other direction, as provided by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The resources required to implement the recommended action are contained within the City of Santa Clarita's adopted FY 2023-24 budget. ATTACHMENTS Assembly Bill 1772 - Bill Text Assembly Bill 1779 - Bill Text Assembly Bill 1802 - Bill Text Assembly Bill 1804 - Bill Text Assembly Bill 1848 - Bill Text Senate Bill 905 - Bill Text Senate Bill 923 - Bill Text Senate Bill 928 - Bill Text Page 5 Packet Pg. 165 16.a AMENDED 1N ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 1, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2023-24 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1772 Introduced by Assembly Alember Ramos Members Ramos, Mathis, and Valencia (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Cervantes, Dixon, Hoover, Lackey, Pacheco, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Rodriguez, Soria, and Ta) (Coauthors: Senators Dodd, Niello, Roth, Seyarto, and Wilk) January 3, 2024 An act to amend Sections 459.5 and 490.2 of, and to add Section 666.1 to, the Penal Code, relating to theft. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1772, as amended, Ramos. Theft. Existing law, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, enacted by Proposition 47, as approved by the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election, defines and prohibits an act of shoplifting and prohibits prosecution for an act of shoplifting under any other law. Existing law defines shoplifting as entering a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny while the establishment is open during regular business hours. This bill would revise the definition of shoplifting to require an intent to steal retail property or merchandise. Existing law provides that a person with a prior conviction for specified sex offenses may be charged with a felony for shoplifting or for theft of property not exceeding $950 in value. This bill would require a person convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, if the person has 2 or more prior convictions for specified theft -related 98 Packet Pg. 166 AB 1772 —2— 16.a offenses, to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years, and would make conforming changes. Existing law authorizes a person to be charged with grand theft if the property taken exceeds $950 over the course of distinct but related acts. This bill would state the findings of the Legislature that if the value of property taken exceeds $950 over the course of distinct but related acts, the thefts may properly be aggregated to charge a defendant with grand theft. This bill would provide that its provisions would become effective only upon approval of the voters, and would provide for the submission of its provisions to the voters for approval at the next statewide general election. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION]. The Legislature finds and declares that pursuant 2 to subdivision (e) of Section 487 of the Penal Code, if the value of 3 property taken exceeds nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) over the 4 course of distinct but related acts, the thefts may properly be 5 aggregated to charge a defendant with grand theft. 7 SEC. 2. Section 459.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 8 459.5. (a) Notwithstanding Section 459, shoplifting is defined 9 as entering a commercial establishment while that establishment 10 is open during regular business hours, with the intent to steal retail 11 property or merchandise, where the value of the property that is 12 taken or intended to be taken does not exceed nine hundred fifty 13 dollars ($950). Any other entry into a commercial establishment 14 with intent to commit larceny is burglary. Shoplifting shall be 15 punished as a misdemeanor, except as follows: 16 (1) A person with one or more prior convictions for an offense 17 specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of 18 subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense requiring 19 registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290 may be 20 punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 9s Packet Pg. 167 — 3 — AB 1772 16.a 1 (2) A person who meets the requirements of Section 666.1 may 2 be punished pursuant to that section. 3 (b) Any act of shoplifting as defined in subdivision (a) shall be 4 charged as shoplifting. A person who is charged with shoplifting 5 shall not also be charged with burglary or theft of the same 6 property. 7 (c) As used in this section, the following terms have the 8 following meanings: 9 (1) "Retail property or merchandise" means any article, product, 10 commodity, item, or component intended to be sold in retail 11 commerce. 12 (2) "Value" means the retail value of an item as advertised by 13 the affected retail establishment, including applicable taxes. 14 SEC. -2. 15 SEC. 3. Section 490.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 16 490.2. (a) Notwithstanding Section 487 or any other provision 17 of law defining grand theft, obtaining any property by theft where 18 the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken does 19 not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) shall be considered 20 petty theft and shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except as 21 follows: 22 (1) A person may instead be punished pursuant to subdivision 23 (h) of Section 1170 if that person has one or more prior convictions 24 for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of 25 paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense 26 requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290. 27 (2) A person who meets the requirements of Section 666.1 may 28 be punished pursuant to that section. 29 (b) This section does not apply to any theft that may be charged 30 as an infraction pursuant to any other law. 31 (c) This section does not apply to theft of a firearm. 32 SEG. 3 33 SEC. 4. Section 666.1 is added to the Penal Code, to read: 34 666.1. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who, 35 having two or more convictions for any of the offenses listed in 36 paragraph (2), and who is subsequently convicted of petty theft or 37 shoplifting, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not 38 exceeding one year, or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 39 (2) This section applies to the following offenses: 40 (A) Petty theft, as described in Section 488. 98 Packet Pg. 168 AB 1772 — 4 — 16.a 1 (B) Grand theft, as described in Section 487. 2 (C) Theft from an elder or dependent adult in violation of 3 subdivision (e) of Section 368. 4 (D) The theft or unauthorized use of a vehicle, as described in 5 Section 10851 of the Vehicle Code. 6 (E) Burglary, as described in Section 459. 7 (F) Carjacking, as described in Section 215. 8 (G) Robbery, as described in Section 211. 9 (H) Receiving stolen property, as described in Section 496. 10 (I) Shoplifting, as described in Section 459.5. 11 (J) Mail theft, as described in subdivision (e) of Section 530.5. 12 (b) This section does not preclude prosecution or punishment 13 pursuant to any other law. 14 SEC. 4. 15 SEC. 5. This act amends the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools 16 Act, an initiative statute approved by the voters at the November 17 4, 2014, statewide general election as Proposition 47, and shall 18 become effective only when submitted to and approved by the 19 voters. The Secretary of State shall submit this act for approval by 20 the voters at a statewide election in accordance with Section 9040 21 of the Elections Code. x 98 Packet Pg. 169 16.b CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2023-24 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1779 Introduced by Assembly Member Irwin January 3, 2024 An act to amend Section 786.5 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1779, as introduced, Irwin. Theft: jurisdiction. Existing law defines types of theft, including petty theft, grand theft, and shoplifting. Existing law also defines the crimes of robbery and burglary. Existing law sets forth specific rules relating to the jurisdiction for the prosecution of theft by fraud, organized retail theft, and receiving stolen property, including that the jurisdiction for prosecution includes the county where an offense involving the theft or receipt of the stolen merchandise occurred, the county in which the merchandise was recovered, or the county where any act was done by the defendant in instigating, procuring, promoting, or aiding or abetting in the commission of a theft offense or other qualifying offense. Existing law jurisdictionally limits prosecution of each of the above to criminal actions brought by the Attorney General. This bill would no longer limit the jurisdictional rules for the above crimes to criminal actions brought by the Attorney General. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State -mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 786.5 of the Penal Code is amended to 2 read: 99 Packet Pg. 170 AB 1779 — 2 — 16.b 1 786.5. The jurisdiction of a criminal action brought by 2 Aftorney General for theft, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 3 484, or a violation of Section 490.4 or 496, shall also include the 4 county where an offense involving the theft or receipt of the stolen 5 merchandise occurred, the county in which the merchandise was 6 recovered, or the county where any act was done by the defendant 7 in instigating, procuring, promoting, or aiding in the commission 8 of a theft offense or a violation of Section 490.4 or 496 or in 9 abetting the parties concerned therein. If multiple offenses of theft 10 or violations of Section 490.4 or 496, either all involving the same 11 defendant or defendants and the same merchandise, or all involving 12 the same defendant or defendants and the same scheme or 13 substantially similar activity, occur in multiple jurisdictions, then 14 any of those jurisdictions are a proper jurisdiction for all of the 15 offenses. Jurisdiction also extends to all associated offenses 16 connected together in their commission to the underlying theft 17 offenses or violations of Section 490.4 or 496. X 99 Packet Pg. 171 16.c CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2023-24 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1802 Introduced by Assembly Member Jones -Sawyer January 8, 2024 An act to amend Sections 490.4 and 13899.1 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1802, as introduced, Jones -Sawyer. Crimes: organized theft. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, makes a person guilty of organized retail theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony, as specified, if the person acts in concert with one or more persons to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online marketplaces with the intent to sell or return the merchandise for value, acts in concert with 2 or more persons to receive, purchase, or possess merchandise knowing or believing it to have been stolen, acts as an agent of another to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online marketplaces as part of an organized plan to commit theft, or recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, or finances another to undertake acts of theft. This bill would extend the operation of the crime of organized retail theft until January 1, 2031. By extending the operation of an existing crime, this bill would create a state -mandated local program. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to coordinate with the Department of Justice to convene a regional property crimes task force to identify geographic areas experiencing increased levels of property crimes and assist local law enforcement with resources, such as personnel and equipment. U Packet Pg. 172 AB 1802 —2— 16.c The bill would extend the operation of the regional property crimes task force until January 1, 2031. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 490.4 of the Penal Code is amended to 2 read: 3 490.4. (a) A person who commits any of the following acts is 4 guilty of organized retail theft, and shall be punished pursuant to 5 subdivision (b): 6 (1) Acts in concert with one or more persons to steal 7 merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online 8 marketplace with the intent to sell, exchange, or return the 9 merchandise for value. 10 (2) Acts in concert with two or more persons to receive, 11 purchase, or possess merchandise described in paragraph (1), 12 knowing or believing it to have been stolen. 13 (3) Acts as an agent of another individual or group of individuals 14 to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or 15 online marketplaces as part of an organized plan to commit theft. 16 (4) Recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, 17 manages, or finances another to undertake any of the acts described 18 in paragraph (1) or (2) or any other statute defining theft of 19 merchandise. 20 (b) Organized retail theft is punishable as follows: 21 (1) If violations of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) 22 are committed on two or more separate occasions within a 23 12-month period, and if the aggregated value of the merchandise 24 stolen, received, purchased, or possessed within that 12-month 25 period exceeds nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), the offense is 26 punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one 27 year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 99 Packet Pg. 173 — 3 — AB 1802 16.c 1 (2) Any other violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of 2 subdivision (a) that is not described in paragraph (1) of this 3 subdivision is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not 4 exceeding one year. 5 (3) A violation of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) is punishable 6 by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or 7 pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 8 (c) For the purpose of determining whether the defendant acted 9 in concert with another person or persons in any proceeding, the 10 trier of fact may consider any competent evidence, including, but 11 not limited to, all of the following: 12 (1) The defendant has previously acted in concert with another 13 person or persons in committing acts constituting theft, or any 14 related offense, including any conduct that occurred in counties 15 other than the county of the current offense, if relevant to 16 demonstrate a fact other than the defendant's disposition to commit 17 the act. 18 (2) That the defendant used or possessed an artifice, instrument, 19 container, device, or other article capable of facilitating the removal 20 of merchandise from a retail establishment without paying the 21 purchase price and use of the artifice, instrument, container, or 22 device or other article is part of an organized plan to commit theft. 23 (3) The property involved in the offense is of a type or quantity 24 that would not normally be purchased for personal use or 25 consumption and the property is intended for resale. 26 (d) In a prosecution under this section, the prosecutor shall not 27 be required to charge any other coparticipant of the organized retail 28 theft. 29 (e) Upon conviction of an offense under this section, the court 30 shall consider ordering, as a condition of probation, that the 31 defendant stay away from retail establishments with a reasonable 32 nexus to the crime committed. 33 (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 34 2031, and as of that date is repealed. 35 SEC. 2. Section 13899.1 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 36 13899.1. This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 37 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed. 38 SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to 39 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because 40 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school 99 Packet Pg. 174 AB 1802 — 4 — 16.c 1 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or 2 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty 3 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of 4 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within 5 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California 6 Constitution. X 99 Packet Pg. 175 16.d CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2023-24 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1804 Introduced by Assembly Member Jim Patterson (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Chen, Davies, Gallagher, and Ta) January 8, 2024 An act to amend Section 629.52 of the Penal Code, relating to crime. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1804, as introduced, Jim Patterson. Crime: fentanyl trafficking. Existing law authorizes the Attorney General or a district attorney to make an application, as specified, to a judge of a superior court, for an order authorizing the interception of wire or electronic communications. Existing law authorizes a judge, upon a finding of probable cause as that an individual is committing, has committed, or is about to commit offenses involving a substance containing fentanyl or its precursors or analogs that exceeds 10 gallons by liquid volume or 3 pounds of solid substance by weight, to issue an order authorizing the interception. This bill would reduce the above -described amounts for an order authorizing interception to 1.67 gallons by liquid volume and 8 ounces of solid substance by weight of a substance containing fentanyl or its precursors or analogs. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State -mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 629.52 of the Penal Code is amended to 2 read: Packet Pg. 176 AB 1804 —2- 16.d 1 629.52. Upon application made under Section 629.50, the judge 2 may enter an ex parte order, as requested or modified, authorizing 3 interception of wire or electronic communications initially 4 intercepted within the territorial jurisdiction of the court in which 5 the judge is sitting, if the judge determines, on the basis of the 6 facts submitted by the applicant, all of the following: 7 (a) There is probable cause to believe that an individual is 8 committing, has committed, or is about to commit, one of the 9 following offenses: 10 (1) Importation, possession for sale, transportation, manufacture, 11 or sale of controlled substances in violation of Section 11351, 12 11351.5, 11352, 11370.6, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, 11379.5, or 13 11379.6 of the Health and Safety Code with respect to either of 14 the following: -a 15 (A) A substance containing heroin, cocaine, PCP, 16 methamphetamine, fi rtanyl, or their precursors or analogs where 17 the substance exceeds 10 gallons by liquid volume or three pounds 18 of solid substance by weight. 19 (B) A substance containing fentanyl or its precursors or analogs 20 where the substance exceeds 1.67 gallons by liquid volume or eight 21 ounces of solid substance by weight. 22 (2) Murder, solicitation to commit murder, a violation of Section 23 209, or the commission of a felony involving a destructive device 24 in violation of Section 18710, 18715, 18720, 18725, 18730, 18740, 25 18745, 18750, or 18755. 26 (3) A felony violation of Section 186.22. 27 (4) A felony violation of Section 11418, relating to weapons of 28 mass destruction, Section 11418.5, relating to threats to use 29 weapons of mass destruction, or Section 11419, relating to 30 restricted biological agents. 31 (5) A violation of Section 236.1. 32 (6) An attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the 33 above -mentioned crimes. 34 (b) There is probable cause to believe that particular 35 communications concerning the illegal activities will be obtained 36 through that interception, including, but not limited to, 37 communications that may be utilized for locating or rescuing a 38 kidnap victim. 39 (c) There is probable cause to believe that the facilities from 40 which, or the place where, the wire or electronic communications 99 Packet Pg. 177 — 3 — AB 1804 16.d 1 are to be intercepted are being used, or are about to be used, in 2 connection with the commission of the offense, or are leased to, 3 listed in the name of, or commonly used by the person whose 4 communications are to be intercepted. 5 (d) Normal investigative procedures have been tried and have 6 failed or reasonably appear either unlikely to succeed if tried or 7 too dangerous. 8 (e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section,--fto a 9 magistrate shall not enter an ex parte order authorizing interception 10 of wire or electronic communications for the purpose of 11 investigating or recovering evidence of a prohibited violation, as 12 defined in Section 629.51. x 99 Packet Pg. 178 16.e CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2023-24 REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1848 Introduced by Assembly Member Davies January 17, 2024 An act to amend Section 11353.1 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1848, as introduced, Davies. Controlled substances: fentanyl. Existing law makes it a crime to solicit or encourage a minor to commit specified crimes relating to controlled substances, to hire or employ a minor to transport or sell controlled substances, or to sell or give controlled substances to minors. Existing law makes a person who is 18 years of age or older who violates these provisions with respect to heroin, cocaine, or cocaine base on the grounds of specified buildings, including, among others, playgrounds and childcare facilities, subject to punishment with an additional enhancement in the state prison of one year. This bill would make that enhancement also apply to a violation of those provisions with respect to fentanyl and would expand the parameters to within 1,000 feet of those specified locations. By expanding the scope of crimes and creating new crimes, this bill would impose a state -mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. U Packet Pg. 179 AB 1848 —2— 16.e Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 11353.1 of the Health and Safety Code 2 is amended to read: 3 11353.1. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 4 person 18 years of age or over who is convicted of a violation of 5 Section 11353, in addition to the punishment imposed for that 6 conviction, shall receive an additional punishment as follows: 7 (1) If the offense involved heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, 8 fentanyl, or any analog of these substances and occurred 9 upon, or within 1, 000 feet of, the grounds of, or within, a church 10 or synagogue, a playground, a public or private youth center, a 11 child day care facility, or a public swimming pool, during hours 12 in which the facility is open for business, classes, or school -related 13 programs, or at any time when minors are using the facility, the 14 defendant shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to 15 any other enhancement provided in paragraph (3), be punished by 16 imprisonment in the state prison for one year. 17 (2) If the offense involved heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, or 18 any analog of these substances and occurred upon, or within 1,000 19 feet of, the grounds of any public or private elementary, vocational, 20 junior high, or high school, during hours that the school is open 21 for classes or school -related programs, or at any time when minors 22 are using the facility where the offense occurs, the defendant shall, 23 as a full and separately served enhancement to any other 24 enhancement provided in paragraph (3), be punished by 25 imprisonment in the state prison for two years. 26 (3) If the offense involved a minor who is at least four years 27 younger than the defendant, the defendant shall, as a full and 28 separately served enhancement to any other enhancement provided 29 in this subdivision, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison 30 for one, two, or three years, at the discretion of the court. 31 (b) The additional punishment provided in this section shall 32 not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory 33 pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the 34 trier of fact. 99 Packet Pg. 180 — 3 — AB 1848 16.e 1 (c) The additional punishment provided in this section shall be 2 in addition to any other punishment provided by law and shall not 3 be limited by any other provision of law. 4 (d) Notwithstanding any otherProvision of law, the court may 5 strike the additional punishment provided for in this section if it 6 determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the 7 additional punishment and states on the record its reasons for 8 striking the additional punishment. 9 (e) As used in this section the following definitions shall apply: 10 (1) "Playground" means any park or recreational area 11 specifically designed to be used by childrenek that has play 12 equipment installed, including public grounds designed for athletic 13 activities such as baseball, football, soccer, or basketball, or any 14 similar facility located on public or private school grounds, or on 15 city, county, or state parks. 16 (2) "Youth center" means any public or private facility that is 17 primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, 18 including, but not limited to, private youth membership 19 organizations or clubs, social service teenage club facilities, video 20 arcades, or similar amusement park facilities. 21 (3) "Video arcade" means any premises where 10 or more video 22 game machines or devices are operated, and where minors are 23 legally permitted to conduct business. 24 (4) "Video game machine" means any mechanical amusement 25 device, which is characterized by the use of a cathode ray tube 26 display and which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, or token in 27 any slot or receptacle attached to, or connected to, the machine, 28 may be operated for use as a game, contest, or amusement. 29 (5) "Within 1,000 feet of the grounds of any public or private 30 elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school" means any 31 public area or business establishment where minors are legally 32 permitted to conduct business w-hie that is located within 1,000 33 feet of any public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, 34 or high school. 35 (6) "Child day care facility" has the meaning specified in 36 Section 1596.750. 37 (f) This section does not require either that notice be posted 38 regarding the proscribed conduct or that the applicable 1,000-foot 39 boundary limit be marked. 99 Packet Pg. 181 AB 1848 — 4 — 16.e 1 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to 2 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because 3 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school 4 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or 5 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty 6 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of 7 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within 8 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California 9 Constitution. X 99 Packet Pg. 182 16.f SENATE BILL No. 905 Introduced by Senator Wiener (Principal coauthor: Senator Jones) (Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Cervantes, Friedman, and Villapudua) (Coauthors: Senators Allen, Blakespear, Dodd, Glazer, Niello, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, and Umberg) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Lackey, Pellerin, Blanca Rubio, Ting, Wallis, and Wilson) January 4, 2024 An act to add Section 465 to the Penal Code, relating to crime. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 905, as introduced, Wiener. Unlawful entry of a vehicle. Existing law defines the crime of burglary to include entering a vehicle when the doors are locked with the intent to commit grand or petit larceny or a felony. Existing law makes the burglary of a vehicle punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony. This bill would make forcibly entering a vehicle, as defined, with the intent to commit a theft therein a crime punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year or imprisonment in a county jail for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state -mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: yes. Packet Pg. 183 SB 905 —2— 16.f The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 465 is added to the Penal Code, to read: 2 465. (a) A person who forcibly enters a vehicle, as defined in 3 Section 670 of the Vehicle Code, with the intent to commit a theft 4 therein is guilty of unlawful entry of a vehicle. 5 (b) Unlawful entry of a vehicle is punishable by imprisonment 6 in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year or imprisonment 7 pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 8 (c) As used in this section, forcible entry of a vehicle means the 9 entry of a vehicle accomplished through either of the following 10 means: 11 (1) Force that damages the exterior of the vehicle, including, 12 but not limited to, breaking a window, cutting a convertible top, 13 punching a lock, or prying open a door. 14 (2) Use of a tool or device that manipulates the locking 15 mechanism, including, without limitation, a slim jim or other 16 lockout tool, a shaved key, j iggler key, or lock pick, or an electronic 17 device such as a signal extender. 18 (d) No person may be convicted both pursuant to this section 19 and pursuant to Section 459. 20 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to 21 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because 22 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school 23 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or 24 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty 25 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of 26 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within 27 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California 28 Constitution. X 99 Packet Pg. 184 16.g SENATE BILL No. 923 Introduced by Senator Archuleta January 11, 2024 An act to amend Sections 459.5 and 490.2 of, and to add Section 666.1 to, the Penal Code, relating to theft. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 923, as introduced, Archuleta. Theft. Existing law, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, enacted by Proposition 47, as approved by the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election, defines and prohibits an act of shoplifting and prohibits prosecution for an act of shoplifting under any other law. Existing law defines shoplifting as entering a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny while the establishment is open during regular business hours. This bill would revise the definition of shoplifting to require an intent to steal retail property or merchandise. Existing law provides that a person with a prior conviction for specified sex offenses may be charged with a felony for shoplifting or for theft of property not exceeding $950 in value. This bill would require a person convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, if the person has 2 or more prior convictions for specified theft -related offenses, to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years, and would make conforming changes. This bill would provide that its provisions would become effective only upon approval of the voters, and would provide for the submission of its provisions to the voters for approval at the next statewide general election. M Packet Pg. 185 SB 923 —2— 16.g Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 459.5 of the Penal Code is amended to 2 read: 3 459.5. (a) Notwithstanding Section 459, shoplifting is defined 4 as entering a commercial establishment with:mem to ,.,.m mit 5 laree while that establishment is open during regular business 6 hours, with the intent to steal retail property or merchandise, where 7 the value of the property that is taken or intended to be taken does 8 not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950). Any other entry into 9 a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny is 10 burglary. Shoplifting shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except 11 that a person with one or more prior eonvietions for an offense 12 13 s4division (e) of Seetion 667 or for an offense re 14 15 . as follows: 16 (1) A person with one or more prior convictions for an offense 17 specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of 18 subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense requiring 19 registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290 may be 20 punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 21 (2) A person who meets the requirements of Section 666.1 may 22 be punished pursuant to that section. 23 (b) Any act of shoplifting as defined in subdivision (a) shall be 24 charged as shoplifting.-NoA person who is charged with shoplifting 25 may shall not also be charged with burglary or theft of the same 26 property. 27 (c) As used in this section, the following terms have the following 28 meanings: 29 (1) "Retail property or merchandise " means any article, 30 product, commodity, item, or component intended to be sold in 31 retail commerce. 32 (2) "Value" means the retail value of an item as advertised by 33 the affected retail establishment, including applicable taxes. 34 SEC. 2. Section 490.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 99 Packet Pg. 186 —3— SB 923 16.g 1 490.2. (a) Notwithstanding Section 487 or any other provision 2 of law defining grand theft, obtaining any property by theft where 3 the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken does 4 not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) shall be considered 5 petty theft and shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except 4-&I 6 sueh persen as follows: 7 (1) A person may instead be punished pursuant to subdivision 8 (h) of Section 1170 if that person has one or more prior convictions 9 for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of 10 paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense 11 requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290. 12 (2) A person who meets the requirements of Section 666.1 may 13 be punished pursuant to that section. 14 (b) This sections does not be appheable apply to any theft 15 that may be charged as an infraction pursuant to any other�reisten 16 of law. 17 (c) This sections does not apply to theft of a firearm. 18 SEC. 3. Section 666.1 is added to the Penal Code, to read: 19 666.1. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who 20 has two or more prior convictions for any of the offenses listed in 21 paragraph (2), and who is convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, 22 is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 23 one year, or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 24 (2) This section applies to the following offenses: 25 (A) Petty theft, as described in Section 488 or 490.2. 26 (B) Grand theft, as described in Chapter 5 (commencing with 27 Section 484) of Title 13. 28 (C) Theft from an elder or dependent adult as described in 29 Section 368. 30 (D) The theft or unauthorized use of a vehicle, as described in 31 Section 10851 of the Vehicle Code. 32 (E) Burglary, as described in Section 459. 33 (F) Carjacking, as described in Section 215. 34 (G) Robbery, as described in Section 211. 35 (H) Receiving stolen property, as described in Section 496. 36 (I) Shoplifting, as described in Section 459.5. 37 (J) Identity theft or mail theft, as described in Section 530.5. 38 (K) Embezzlement, as described in Chapter 6 (commencing 39 with Section 503) of Title 13. 40 (L) Organized retail theft, as described in Section 490.4. 99 Packet Pg. 187 SB 923 — 4 — 16.g 1 (b) This section does not preclude prosecution or punishment 2 pursuant to any other law. 3 SEC. 4. This act amends the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools 4 Act, an initiative statute approved by the voters at the November 5 4, 2014, statewide general election as Proposition 47, and shall 6 become effective only when submitted to and approved by the 7 voters. The Secretary of State shall submit this act for approval by 8 the voters at a statewide election in accordance with Section 9040 9 of the Elections Code. x 99 Packet Pg. 188 16.h SENATE BILL Introduced by Senator Mello January 12, 2024 No. 928 An act to amend Section 490.4 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 928, as introduced, Niello. Crimes: organized theft. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, makes a person guilty of organized retail theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony, as specified, if the person acts in concert with one or more persons to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online marketplaces with the intent to sell or return the merchandise for value, acts in concert with 2 or more persons to receive, purchase, or possess merchandise knowing or believing it to have been stolen, acts as an agent of another to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online marketplaces as part of an organized plan to commit theft, or recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, or finances another to undertake acts of theft. This bill would extend the operation of the crime of organized retail theft indefinitely. By extending the operation of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state -mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State -mandated local program: yes. M Packet Pg. 189 SB 928 —2— 16.h The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Section 490.4 of the Penal Code is amended to 2 read: 3 490.4. (a) A person who commits any of the following acts is 4 guilty of organized retail theft, and shall be punished pursuant to 5 subdivision (b): 6 (1) Acts in concert with one or more persons to steal 7 merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or online 8 marketplace with the intent to sell, exchange, or return the 9 merchandise for value. 10 (2) Acts in concert with two or more persons to receive, 11 purchase, or possess merchandise described in paragraph (1), 12 knowing or believing it to have been stolen. 13 (3) Acts as an agent of another individual or group of individuals 14 to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises or 15 online marketplaces as part of an organized plan to commit theft. 16 (4) Recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, 17 manages, or finances another to undertake any of the acts described 18 in paragraph (1) or (2) or any other statute defining theft of 19 merchandise. 20 (b) Organized retail theft is punishable as follows: 21 (1) If violations of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) 22 are committed on two or more separate occasions within a 23 12-month period, and if the aggregated value of the merchandise 24 stolen, received, purchased, or possessed within that 12-month 25 period exceeds nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), the offense is 26 punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one 27 year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 28 (2) Any other violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of 29 subdivision (a) that is not described in paragraph (1) of this 30 subdivision is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not 31 exceeding one year. 32 (3) A violation of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) is punishable 33 by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or 34 pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. 35 (c) For the purpose of determining whether the defendant acted 36 in concert with another person or persons in any proceeding, the 37 trier of fact may consider any competent evidence, including, but 38 not limited to, all of the following: 99 Packet Pg. 190 — 3 — SB 928 16.h 1 (1) The defendant has previously acted in concert with another 2 person or persons in committing acts constituting theft, or any 3 related offense, including any conduct that occurred in counties 4 other than the county of the current offense, if relevant to 5 demonstrate a fact other than the defendant's disposition to commit 6 the act. 7 (2) That the defendant used or possessed an artifice, instrument, 8 container, device, or other article capable of facilitating the removal 9 of merchandise from a retail establishment without paying the 10 purchase price and use of the artifice, instrument, container, or 11 device or other article is part of an organized plan to commit theft. 12 (3) The property involved in the offense is of a type or quantity 13 that would not normally be purchased for personal use or 14 consumption and the property is intended for resale. 15 (d) In a prosecution under this section, the prosecutor shall not 16 be required to charge any other coparticipant of the organized retail 17 theft. 18 (e) Upon conviction of an offense under this section, the court 19 shall consider ordering, as a condition of probation, that the 20 defendant stay away from retail establishments with a reasonable 21 nexus to the crime committed. 22 , 23 . 24 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to 25 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because 26 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school 27 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or 28 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty 29 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of 30 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within 31 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California 32 Constitution. X 99 Packet Pg. 191