First Assembly retail theft informational hearing slated for Dec. 19

Members are encouraged to provide in-person public comment

The Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft is holding its first hearing on Dec. 19 in Sacramento at 1:00 p.m. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas formed the committee in October, telling members to “act with focus and urgency.”

Improving public safety — specifically reducing retail theft — is one of the League of California Cities’ top priorities for 2024. Among other things, Cal Cities will work with stakeholders to reform Proposition 47, while avoiding a return to the days of mass incarceration.

Retail theft is difficult to track because it often falls under broader crime categories. However, felony retail theft, commercial burglary, and commercial shoplifting have increased statewide. Commercial burglary — nonviolent thefts greater than $950 — has reached its highest level since 2008, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

The December hearing will be divided into three parts: expert testimony to provide an overview of the issue, a law enforcement testimony, and a panel with labor and business, including the California Retailers Association.

This hearing will be in Sacramento at 1021 O Street, Suite 1100. Lawmakers are only accepting in-person public comment. Members are encouraged to attend, but public comment may be limited.

The next two hearings are in January, most likely in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Cal Cities expects to testify at of one these hearings as an invited speaker.

For questions, contact Cal Cities Legislative Representative Jolena Voorhis.