Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) has introduced AB 75, a bill aimed at increased penalties for prior crimes by giving voters the opportunity to reform Prop 47. The bill is aimed to increase penalties for serial theft offenses.
Hoover called the bill a chance to give voters a meaningful way to reform Prop 47 and address serial theft.
Under current law, only low-level penalties are charged no matter how many theft offenses are committed. This common sense change would allow a felony to be charged after three prior convictions of theft.
“My community has been directly impacted by the brazen retail theft on the rise throughout the state. Our small business owners and retailers deserve better, it’s time to pass AB 75 and restore some accountability in our criminal justice system,” said Hoover.
The bill was originally teased on December 5 when California State Republicans announced in their “California Promise” where the would be addressing Prop 47 and would seek to Restore Pre-Prop 47 Felonies.
Hoover introduced the bill as part of his legislative priorities.
“It’s time to set partisanship aside and work together to solve California’s greatest challenges,” Hoover said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to restore accountability in our criminal justice system, make our communities safer, improve the academic outcomes of our students, and make life more affordable for the people we represent.”
Assemblyman Hoover’s legislative package includes bills to:
- Restore pre-Proposition 47 penalties for serial petty theft crimes that are harming retailers and small businesses.
- Give parents more control over their child’s education by reducing barriers for students looking to transfer out of underperforming schools.
- Expand and stabilize career technical education (CTE) by increasing funding to ensure students have access to meaningful and diverse career pathways.
- Prohibit homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools.
- Incentivize housing production by providing a property tax bonus to cities and counties that approve projects and increase the supply of housing in their communities.
Prop 47 was also being addressed by a a member of the Democratic Party. On December 5, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) introduced AB 23 which seeks to amend Proposition 47 and reduce the threshold amount for petty theft and shoplifting from $950 to $400.
According to the Bill:
