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CDA’s Legislative Priorities Moving in the State Capitol
With the California Downtown Association’s legislative priorities coming into focus on the heels of a successful Legislative Lobby Day in the State Capitol on April 8 – the organization’s legislative priorities are now seeing major action in the State Legislature. Ranging from bills to support the vibrancy of our downtowns through flexible food and alcohol service options within “entertainment zones” to bills aimed at combatting California’s ongoing public safety issues stemming from retail theft and crime in our downtowns. CDA’s advocacy efforts are pushing a strong legislative agenda in the Capitol this year.
SB 969 (Wiener, D-San Francisco) – Brick & Mortar Take-out Service within Entertainment Zones – CDA SUPPORT
This measure would allow local jurisdictions to create designated outdoor “entertainment zones” that will enable local brick-and-mortar bars and restaurants to sell takeout alcoholic beverages to patrons for consumption at street fairs, outdoor festivals, and other activations. SB 969 will aid the recovery of downtown small businesses by removing barriers to brick-and-mortar businesses participating in nearby outdoor events, like street fairs and festivals. It will allow municipalities to create entertainment zones that allow neighborhood businesses – which are currently barred from selling alcoholic beverages to-go during festivals – to participate on equal footing with outside vendors and to engage in new types of events structured around “entertainment zones”.
AB 2943 (Zbur and R. Rivas) – California Retail Theft Reduction Act – CDA SUPPORT
Assembly Bill 2943 is a critical measure to support the efforts of the law enforcement community to protect the many businesses our districts represent. The bill provides several new tools and new policies to address retail theft, including the creation of a new statute to target serial offenders, the ability to aggregate the value of thefts and to keep repeat offenders in custody. AB 2943 balances these new tools to help stop organized retail crime by also establishing new diversion and rehabilitative programs. Ultimately, this measure will hold offenders accountable and keep our businesses and communities safe.
AB 1802 (Jones-Sawyer) – Organized Retail Crime – CDA SUPPORT
Assembly Bill 1802 permanently extends California’s organized retail theft criminal statute (P.C. §490.4) and the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, both of which are currently due to sunset in 2026. Pairing an effective criminal statute with a state-level entity dedicated to enforcing it is a critical step forward in the fight against organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves sophisticated criminal enterprises which require a dedicated entity with the necessary resources to conduct investigations and work with businesses. AB 1802 makes clear California’s commitment to address organized crime.
AB 1960 (Soria) – Sentencing Enhancements – CDA SUPPORT
Assembly Bill 1960 reinstates provisions of the Penal Code authorizing sentencing enhancements for taking, damaging, or destroying property in the commission or attempted commission of a felony. As retail theft has increased over the last several years, so too has large scale property crimes. Businesses have seen perpetrators deliberately destroying property while in the commission of a crime, costing businesses significant resources and creating an unsafe environment for customers and employees. AB 1960 imposes stricter penalties for those who damage property and will act as a deterrent against ever increasing “smash and grabs” and retail crime.
AB 1779 (Irwin) – Theft Jurisdictions – CDA SUPPORT
Assembly Bill 1779 reinstates provisions of the Penal Code clarifying that acts of theft that occur across multiple jurisdictions may be charged in a single jurisdiction. Given that organized retail crimes are often spread across various counties and jurisdictions, it’s important to ensure law enforcement has the tools necessary to prosecute these complex cases. AB 1779 provides the clarity necessary to ensure effective enforcement, prosecution, and deterrence of theft crimes.
AB 3209 (Berman) – Retail Crime Restraining Orders
Assembly Bill 3209 authorizes a court to impose a retail crime restraining order for a theft offense, vandalism within the store, or battery on an employee within the store. It will allow prosecutors and businesses to seek a restraining order without first requiring a conviction. This bill provides a necessary tool for law enforcement and businesses to keep their employees and customers safe.
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