Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are introducing a ballot measure that will make targeted reforms to Prop 47. If approved by voters, the measure will crack down on property crime with new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions and penalties for fentanyl dealers, and increase access to drug treatment.

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire, and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas today announced a robust ballot measure to tackle property crime and the fentanyl crisis, including through targeted reforms to Proposition 47.

The proposed ballot measure would implement new penalties for repeat offenders, crack down on serial shoplifters, enhance felony prosecutions for fentanyl dealers, and increase resources for drug treatment programs.

“With targeted reforms to Prop 47, this ballot measure is a critical step forward in our efforts to strengthen California’s public safety laws and provide law enforcement with additional tools to address the growing concerns of property crime and the fentanyl crisis. This balanced approach cracks down on crime and protects our communities — without reverting to ineffective and costly policies of the past,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Californians want safer, stronger communities, and we’re delivering exactly that with this commonsense approach,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “These are a methodical set of measures that will crack down on retail theft and hold offenders accountable for hardcore drug crimes without enacting the draconian policies of the ‘80s and ‘90s that devastated communities of color and cost taxpayers billions of dollars.”

“Here’s what Californians tell us: They don’t want to go back to mass incarceration, spending billions of dollars to imprison people for years over minor offenses,” said Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “Californians know that approach failed. They want tax dollars going to education, jobs, drug rehab, and mental health programs. And they want smart public-safety laws on the books enforced consistently with clear consequences. Our proposition and legislative package deliver on their priorities. It will stop fentanyl traffickers and hold those who steal from local businesses responsible for their bad actions. It will deliver real results that we can afford. We listened to Californians and are giving them a better choice.”

“Retailers have faced significant challenges with property crime in recent years across the nation,” said Rachel Michelin, President of the California Retailers Association. “Coupled with a robust retail theft legislative package, this proposed ballot measure is a smart solution that will protect our stores, employees, and customers. By establishing targeted penalties and aggregating theft amounts, this balanced approach holds criminals accountable and deters organized crime and serial shoplifters in California — without resorting to outdated policies of the past.”

What this measure does:

- Takes Down Serial Shoplifters: Establishes penalties for repeat offenders convicted three times for petty theft or shoplifting within three years. An offender with three theft-related convictions over a three-year period could face up to three years in jail.

- Aggregates Theft Amounts: Empowers law enforcement to combine the value of multiple thefts — even from different victims — to charge a felony.

- Cracks Down on Fentanyl Lacers: Introduces stiffer penalties for knowingly selling or providing drugs mixed with fentanyl without informing the buyer.

- Holds Fentanyl Dealers Accountable: Establishes a statewide fentanyl admonishment requirement making it easier for prosecutors to ensure drug dealers who repeatedly sell deadly amounts of fentanyl can be charged with murder if a death occurs.

- Increases Resources for Drug Treatment: Expands mental health and drug addiction treatment programs in communities improving public safety.

Under the proposed measure, the coalition seeks targeted reforms to Prop 47 allowing increased felony prosecutions while cracking down on serial offenders and holding fentanyl dealers accountable. Passed by voters in 2014, Prop 47 classified certain crimes as misdemeanors changed resentencing laws created Safe Neighborhoods Schools Fund supporting rehabilitation programs funding drug mental health treatment saving taxpayers over $816 million through reduced incarceration costs since implementation reformed once before in 2016 by Prop 63 led then Lt Governor Gavin Newsom.

California law already has robust tools enabling law enforcement prosecutors arrest charge suspects involved organized retail crime including up three years jail time organized retail theft state has tenth toughest threshold nationally prosecutors charge suspects felony $950 forty other states including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500), Mississippi ($1,000) require higher dollar amounts suspects charged felony.

Since Governor Newsom took office in 2019 California invested $1.1 billion fight crime hire more police improve public safety part Real Public Safety Plan last year state announced largest-ever investment combat organized retail crime California history annual 310% increase proactive operations targeting organized retail crime special operations across state fight crime improve public safety complementing proposed ballot measure Legislature poised pass comprehensive bipartisan package legislation further crack down property crime package bills responds Governor’s proposed legislative framework January calls creation new laws expanding criminal penalties further crack down professional thieves those profit stealing goods resale legislation bolster law enforcement’s ability arrest suspects create new crime addressing organized auto burglary committed resell stolen property eliminate sunset provision organized retail crime statute.