Proposal to amend Proposition 47, known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, has been officially included on the November ballot for a public vote. However, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that if the proposed amendment passes, it would render 14 related bills ineffective. Li Shaomin stated that these 14 bills cannot substitute for the proposed amendment.
California Secretary of State announced on Tuesday, June 11th, that the initiative to amend Prop 47, which aims to reduce homelessness, drug addiction, and theft, has gathered 601,317 signatures and will be on the November ballot.
However, Governor Newsom recently voiced opposition to the initiative and indicated that a series of bills will be passed to address the shortcomings of Prop 47. Last week, Democratic lawmakers added a provision to these bills stating that if the proposed amendment is approved, the 14 bills would be repealed due to policy conflicts between the bills and the proposal.
Li Shaomin, the outreach director for the Prop 47 amendment, emphasized that the 14 related bills are not in contradiction with the proposed amendment. For example, AB 3209 regarding restraining orders does not conflict with their initiative at all. Another example is AB 1972 concerning CHP and cargo theft, which is unrelated to their initiative and has entirely different content.
He also mentioned that other bills expand access to rehabilitation, treatment, drug education, and fast-track programs, as well as increase access to fentanyl test strips.
Similarly, AB 1802 establishes a special CHP property crimes task force, which does not conflict with their initiative. Their initiative also does not hinder SB 1242, which strengthens penalties for individuals who set fires while committing theft.
He believes that some Democratic lawmakers using “contradiction or conflict” as an excuse will only damage the reputation of the Democratic Party, as they are simply trying to block the amendment to Prop 47.
He emphasized that the 14 bills target different small areas, while the new proposal focuses on the bigger picture, directly impacting Californians’ ability to live safely and prosperously. Therefore, the 14 bills cannot replace the new proposal.
Li Shaomin added that the package of 14 bills includes public safety bills. The proposal will be submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee next Monday, June 17th, to add the sunset provision. The proposal will be submitted to the Assembly Appropriations Committee next Wednesday, June 19th, for the inclusion of the sunset provision. If approved, these bills will be presented for review by all members of the Senate and Assembly.
He stated that if the bills pass through the full review of the Senate and Assembly, further examination will be conducted. The Democratic Party aims to expedite the process, with the goal of completing all work by July 3.
For the 14 bills to include a sunset provision, they must be approved by the Public Safety Committee and ultimately passed by both houses of the legislature, requiring a two-thirds majority for approval.
Li Shaomin pointed out that many moderate Democratic lawmakers do not agree with adding sunset provisions to these bills. He urged everyone to immediately email California’s Democratic lawmakers with a simple message: “Please vote NO on the poison pill amendments related to the 14 public safety bills and let Californians properly exercise their right to vote.”
People can visit http://www.senate.ca.gov and http://www.assembly.ca.gov to get the names and email addresses of legislators.
The main 10 bills are as follows:
AB 1794, establishes a reporting system for retailers for in-store theft, retail theft, and grand theft.
AB 3209, allows courts to issue “stay-away orders” for retail crimes.
AB 1960, increases penalties for individuals who take or destroy property during the commission of a serious crime.
AB 1802, categorizes organized retail theft as a criminal act and permanently establishes a special CHP property crimes task force.
AB 1972, instructs CHP’s property crimes task force to investigate escalating cargo theft incidents.
SB 1144, introduces new requirements for third-party seller certification and prohibits criminal suspects from conducting business through online market platforms.
SB 1416, increases imprisonment for theft and individuals attempting to sell goods worth over $50,000.
SB 1242, strengthens penalties for arson theft.
SB 905, establishes a new criminal offense, forcibly entering a vehicle with the intent to commit theft or any serious crime, provided that the value of stolen property exceeds $950 and the thief intends to sell the property. This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
AB 2943, creates a new criminal offense, “Criminal Deprivation of Retail Business Opportunity,” chargeable as a misdemeanor or felony, with a maximum of fewer than three years in county jail. It primarily targets organized crime groups focusing on retail theft. ◇