SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An extensive package of bills aimed at fighting retail theft in California is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk to sign into law. The package is a mix of bipartisan bills aiming to address the growing issue around retail theft.
"(A) really impactful set of legislation that we really think will have a huge impact on curbing retail theft across the state of California," said Rachel Michelin with the California Retailers Association.
Lawmakers passed the California Retail Theft Reduction Act on Monday's Assembly floor session. The package of bills would address serial thieves, cargo theft and allow law enforcement and district attorneys to prosecute.
"This is what we as Republicans wanted all year was to pass these bipartisan retail theft bills," said Asm. James Gallagher (R-Yuba City).
Gallagher says getting here hasn't come without political maneuvering and disagreements between parties, but the bipartisan package to address retail theft had Gallagher voting in favor during Monday's session.
"What I've seen in the legislature is that many of us came together on both sides of the aisle to pass what is really good policy, and it is going to help keep our community safe," he said.
While it's the first step in solving the growing issue, retailers say they still have a lot of work to do.
"I hope that my friends in law enforcement and the District Attorneys Association will step up as well and do their part and make sure that they are going to respond in a timely manner and that they're going to prosecute," Michelin said.
The retail theft package also has bills in the Senate. During Monday's regular session in the Senate, lawmakers passed bills that would address sales on online marketplaces, organized retail theft and thefts from a vehicle. If the governor signs these bills, they would take effect on Jan. 1.
There is also a measure on the November ballot that addresses retail theft and drug trafficking. Prop 36 will increase punishment for both crimes, challenging Prop 47 that was passed by voters in 2014. It is being backed by law enforcement, Republicans and some Democrats.
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