AB 508: Probation: environmental crimes.

Existing law authorizes courts generally to suspend a criminal sentence and make and enforce terms of probation for a period not to exceed 2 years. Existing law authorizes courts in misdemeanor cases to suspend a sentence and make and enforce terms of probation for a period not to exceed one year.

This bill would instead authorize a court, for entities with more than 10 employees, to impose a period of probation for a maximum period of 5 years in specified crimes relating to, among other things, dumping in waterways, pesticides, oil dumping and spills, waste management, and animal cruelty. By expanding the punishment for a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.