Public Safety Legislation

I am a member of the Cali­fornia Problem Solvers Caucus (CPSC), a bipartisan group of legislators from both houses. The Caucus promotes common sense solutions to the most pressing issues facing our state. Lately, property crime has been escalating throughout Califor­nia, and the CPSC has been pressing for solutions. I’m hap­py to report those efforts have begun to bear fruit.

In recent weeks a package of legislation that will tighten California laws regarding pros­ecution and enhanced sentences for criminals passed both hous­es of the Legislature and has now been signed into law by the Governor. These bills include:

SB 905, which closes a loop­hole and creates a new crime of forcibly entering a vehicle with intent to commit a theft with penalties up to one year in county jail or in some cases 2 to 3 years

SB 982, eliminates the Janu­ary 1, 2026 sunset date for the organized retail theft law al­lowing prosecutions to continue indefinitely

SB 1144 requires online mar­ketplaces to report suspected stolen goods and requires a mechanism for users to report the sale of stolen goods while allowing enforcement by local authorities

SB 1242 enhances penalties for criminals who recklessly start fires when the offense occurred within a merchant’s premises to facilitate retail theft

SB 1416 allows increased penalties of 1-4 years for large retail thefts of $50,000 to $3 million with an additional 1 year for each additional $3 mil­lion

SB 1074, which I co-authored with Senator Brian Jones, should have been added to this list. The bill would have made public safety a priority when placing Sexually Violent Preda­tors in any community. Unfor­tunately, SB 1074 died in the Assembly Appropriations Com­mittee on August 15th.

While enactment of these new laws is a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done. Since we adjourn August 31st, additional public safety legislation will have to wait until the new session be­gins on Dec. 2.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R- Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the Cali­fornia Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, por­tions of the City of San Diego, and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.