City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MAY 21, 2024 FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RETAIL THEFT LEGISLATION – RESOULTION TO SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BILL 1772 AND RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE ASSEMBLY BILL 2042 ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 1772 to add and repeal Section 502.95 of the Penal Code relating to theft; adopt a resolution opposing Assembly Bill 2042 to add Sections 13519.18 and 13519.19 to the Penal Code relating to law enforcement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 1772 (AB 1772) to add and repeal Section 502.95 of the Penal Code relating to theft; and Adopt a resolution opposing Assembly Bill 2042 (AB 2042) to add Sections 13519.18 and 13519.19 to the Penal Code relating to law enforcement.
BACKGROUND:
On April 23, 2024, City Council received an overview of the legislative process; reaffirmed the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform; and motioned to introduce resolutions (a) supporting AB 1772 – Ramos’ bill on theft and (b) opposing AB 2042 - Jackson’s bill on police canine standards and training.
DISCUSSION:
AB 1772 (Ramos): Theft
Current law makes a first conviction for petty theft involving merchandise taken from a merchant’s premises punishable by a mandatory fine and as a misdemeanor. AB 1772 would require the Department of Justice to engage in collecting data on the number of arrests and convictions that took place for theft from retail stores during the COVID-19 pandemic and report it to the Legislature by 2026.
This legislation would help shed light on what the scope of the issue is in regard to retail theft, and just how much the losses were during the pandemic.
AB 2042 (Jackson): Police canines: standards and training Currently there is not a statewide policy that governs the use of police dogs. AB 2042 would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to develop standards and training guidelines for use of police canines and would require each law enforcement agency to adopt a policy and training regimen that complies with POST standards.
Although the bill specifies minimum topics that POST must cover in its canine standards and guidelines, the bill largely leaves the details to POST’s discretion.
While the City supports comprehensive standards on the use of police K9s, AB 2042 sets vague statutory requirements for POST to develop guidelines on police K9 programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Prepared by: Chekesha Gilliam, Intergovernmental Relations Officer Certified as to
availability of funds: City Finance Officer
Approved by: City Manager or Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: City Attorney
Attachments: Resolution support AB 1772
Resolution opposing AB 2042