AB 1603: Theft: shoplifting: amount.

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Existing law, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, enacted as an initiative statute by Proposition 47, as approved by the electors at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election, makes the theft of money, labor, or property petty theft punishable as a misdemeanor, whenever the value of the property taken does not exceed $950. Under existing law, if the value of the property taken exceeds $950, the theft is grand theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Proposition 47 requires shoplifting, defined as entering a commercial establishment with the intent to commit larceny if the value of the property taken does not exceed $950, to be punished as a misdemeanor. Under existing law, entering a commercial establishment with the intent to take property exceeding $950 is burglary, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.

This bill would amend Proposition 47 by reducing the threshold amount for petty theft and shoplifting from $950 to $400. The bill would provide that it shall become effective only when submitted to, and approved by, the voters of California.

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The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 459.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read:459.5.

(a)Notwithstanding Section 459, shoplifting is defined as entering a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny while that establishment is open during regular business hours, where the value of the property that is taken or intended to be taken does not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950). four hundred dollars ($400). Any other entry into a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny is burglary. Shoplifting shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except that a person with one or more prior convictions for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290 may be punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

(b)Any act of shoplifting as defined in subdivision (a) shall be charged as shoplifting. No A person who is charged with shoplifting may shall not also be charged with burglary or theft of the same property.

SEC. 2.Section 487 of the Penal Code is amended to read:487.

Grand theft is theft committed in any of the following cases:

(a)When the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), four hundred dollars ($400), except as provided in subdivision (b).

(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), grand theft is committed in any of the following cases:

(1)(A)When domestic fowls, avocados, olives, citrus or deciduous fruits, other fruits, vegetables, nuts, artichokes, or other farm crops are taken of a value exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(B)For the purposes of establishing that the value of domestic fowls, avocados, olives, citrus or deciduous fruits, other fruits, vegetables, nuts, artichokes, or other farm crops under this paragraph exceeds two hundred fifty dollars ($250), that value may be shown by the presentation of credible evidence which establishes that on the day of the theft domestic fowls, avocados, olives, citrus or deciduous fruits, other fruits, vegetables, nuts, artichokes, or other farm crops of the same variety and weight exceeded two hundred fifty dollars ($250) in wholesale value.

(2)When fish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, kelp, algae, or other aquacultural products are taken from a commercial or research operation which is producing that product, of a value exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(3)Where the money, labor, or real or personal property is taken by a servant, agent, or employee from his or her their principal or employer and aggregates nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) four hundred dollars ($400) or more in any 12 consecutive month 12-consecutive-month period.

(c)When the property is taken from the person of another.

(d)When the property taken is any of the following:

(1)An automobile.

(2)A firearm.

SEC. 3.Section 490.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read:490.2.

(a)Notwithstanding Section 487 or any other provision of law defining grand theft, obtaining any property by theft where the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken does not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) four hundred dollars ($400) shall be considered petty theft and shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except that such person may instead be punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 if that person has one or more prior convictions for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290.

(b)This section shall not be applicable to any theft that may be charged as an infraction pursuant to any other provision of law.

(c)This section shall not apply to theft of a firearm.

SEC. 4.

The provisions of this bill affect an initiative statute and shall become effective only when submitted to, and approved by, the voters of California, pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10 of Article II of the California Constitution.

REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.

Date	Status
Oct 24, 2022	From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).
Mar 23, 2022	Coauthors revised.
Mar 22, 2022	In committee: Set, second hearing. Failed passage.
Mar 8, 2022	In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Jan 14, 2022	Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Jan 4, 2022	From printer. May be heard in committee February 3.
Jan 3, 2022	Read first time. To print.

Authors shown for version:
Introduced (1/3/2022)