A package of bills Governor Newsom urged in this year to crack down on retail thefts is headed to his desk after passing through the state legislature Monday.
The ten bills, first introduced in January and February, advanced despite opposition from some of Newsom’s fellow Democrats in the Bay Area including Assembly members Mia Bonta of Oakland, Ash Kalra of San Jose and Alex Lee of Milpitas.
Dozens of bills targeting retail theft have been introduced in the state legislature this year after widely-publicized robberies moved Newsom to call for tougher laws.
Among the bills that passed Monday are AB-2943, which would aggregate separate thefts to meet the $950 felony threshold, allow police to arrest misdemeanor shoplifters without witnessing the crime firsthand and protect businesses reporting legitimate retail crime.
Another bill, AB-3209, would allow courts to enact restraining orders against those who have stolen from, vandalized or battered an employee at a retail business.
Bonta voted no on 2943, with Lee and Kalra not voting. Bonta and Kalra voted no on AB 3209, with Lee not voting. Spokespeople for the Assembly members did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
AB 1960, which would enhance sentences for taking, damaging or destroying property, is pending in the legislature. The bill drew opposition from a slew of Assembly members, including Bonta, Lee and Kalra each voting no.
Other bills passed Monday include AB 1802, which would indefinitely extend the California Highway Patrol’s property crimes task force, and AB 1779, which would allow those who have shoplifted in multiple counties to be charged for all of the crimes in one court.
SB 905 makes it easier charge for vehicle thefts. SB 1242 and 1416 enhance sentences for those who set fires during retail theft and who resell or return stolen goods. SB 1144 aims to prevent the sale of stolen goods on online marketplaces, and SB 982 removes time restrictions on charging retail theft.
The bills come as critics of state laws that lowered penalties for property and drug crimes qualified Proposition 36 for the November ballot. Newsom had hoped to avoid the initiative, which qualified for the ballot in June and modifies parts of Proposition 47, a 2014 measure Newsom supported that reduced certain drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
Last month, Newsom introduced a softer countermeasure to Prop. 36 at the last minute. He then withdrew the proposition days later.
