The California Legislature is back in session, and lawmakers are making quick work of passing a multitude of bills to target rising retail crime in the Golden State.
A total of 10 mostly bipartisan proposals addressing retail theft and property-related offenses passed through the state Assembly and Senate on Thursday, receiving final votes on Monday. By the end of the day, they were sent to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final sign-off.
The package of legislation orbits around the California Retail Theft Reduction Act (AB 2943), which was introduced in February by select committee on retail theft chair and Assemblymember Rick Zbur (D-L.A.).
One of the most multi-faceted proposals to come out of the State Assembly this year, the law solidifies a new crime classification for possessing stolen merchandise worth over $950 with the intent to resell, carrying a prison sentence of up to three years. Evidence may include repeat offenses or the possession of large volumes of stolen property. The law also stipulates that the value of thefts from different retailers can be tallied up and prosecuted as grand theft—a felony charge.