BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 924
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 924 (Bigelow)
As Amended April 25, 2013
Majority vote
PUBLIC SAFETY 7-0
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|Ayes:|Ammiano, Melendez, | | |
| |Jones-Sawyer, Mitchell, | | |
| |Quirk, Skinner, Waldron | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Specifies a fine of up to $5,000 for grand theft
involving livestock and earmarks those funds to the Bureau of
Livestock Identification for the purpose of investigating theft
of livestock. Additionally separates livestock from automobiles
in the grand theft section.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Defines "grand theft" as any theft where the money, labor, or
real or personal property taken or when the property is taken
from the person of another is of a value exceeding $950.
2)Provides that grand theft is committed when the money, labor,
or real or personal property taken is of a value in excess of
$950, except as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "The financial loss from
animal theft can impact a family ranching operation tremendously
and can mean the difference in ending up in the red or in the
black on any given year. There has been a 60% increase in the
value of beef cattle over the last few years, and as a result we
have also seen an increase in theft. In 2012, the Bureau of
Livestock Identification reported that 1,110 head of cattle were
stolen a value of nearly $1 million. AB 924 would give
prosecutors the tools they need to effectively administer the
AB 924
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law and appropriately convict persons found guilty of livestock
theft. "
1)Background : According to the background provided by the
author, "Existing law, particularly with the effects of
realignment, is not adequate to properly deter livestock theft
and lacks specific provisions for prosecutors to use at their
discretion to enhance penalties. With the implementation of
Realignment, too many offenders including repeat offenders are
being convicted but receive no jail time at all. Instead,
almost all receive probation or nothing at all. The increasing
value of livestock has resulted in an exponential increase in
theft that has caused severe economic damage to the livelihood
of many ranchers throughout California. Livestock theft
negatively impacts a ranchers' bottom line and their ability
to care for their family and business."
2)Specifies a $5,000 Fine for Grand Theft of Livestock and
Earmarks the Proceeds : This bill seeks to specify a criminal
fine of no more than $5,000 for grand theft of specified
livestock. This up to $5,000 fine is further earmarked to the
Bureau of Livestock Identification for the purpose of
investigating theft of livestock. The specification of this
fine takes funds from any default fine which would have been
imposed on offenders convicted of grand theft of livestock
from the General Fund of the State of California.
Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion
of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Gabriel Caswell / PUB. S. / (916)
319-3744
FN:
0000322
AB 924
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