BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2457
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2457 (Levine)
As Amended April 24, 2014
Majority vote
PUBLIC SAFETY 7-0 ARTS,
ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS 6-0
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|Ayes:|Ammiano, Hagman, |Ayes:|Ian Calderon, Waldron, |
| |Jones-Sawyer, Quirk, | |Bloom, Gomez, Levine, |
| |Skinner, Stone, Waldron | |Wilk |
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Gatto, Bigelow, |
| |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| |Calderon, Campos, |
| |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| |Holden, Jones, Linder, |
| |Pan, Quirk, |
| |Ridley-Thomas, Wagner, |
| |Weber |
| | |
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SUMMARY : Provides that a person who commits an assault or a
battery on stadium or arena property on an event day shall be
subject to an additional fine of up to $2,000 for assault or
$4,000 for battery. Specifically, this bill :
1)Specifies that the additional fine shall not apply to players
or sports officials.
2)Defines "event day" as the period of time 12 hours prior to
the start of an event at a stadium or arena through 12 hours
after the conclusion of the event.
3)Defines "stadium or arena" as a venue within the state that is
capable of seating an audience.
4)Specifies that "stadium or arena property" means within or
upon the stadium or arena structure, the parking structure,
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and parking lot adjacent to or serving the stadium or arena.
5)Specifies that "stadium or arena event" means an event at a
stadium or arena with an audience who has paid admission.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that an assault is punishable by a fine not exceeding
$1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding
six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
2)Provides that a battery is punishable by a fine not exceeding
$2,000, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six
months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
3)Requires the owner of any professional sports facility shall
post, visible from a majority of the seating in the stands at
all times, at controlled entry areas, and at parking
facilities that are part of the professional sports facility,
written notices displaying the text message number and
telephone number to contact security in order to report a
violent act.
4)Provides that an assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with
a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of
another.
5)Provides that when an assault is committed against the person
of a parking control officer engaged in the performance of his
or her duties, and the person committing the offense knows or
reasonably should know that the victim is a parking control
officer, the assault is punishable by a fine not exceeding
$2,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding
six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
6)Provides that when an assault is committed against the person
of a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician,
mobile intensive care paramedic, lifeguard, process server,
traffic officer, code enforcement officer, animal control
officer, or search and rescue member engaged in the
performance of his or her duties, or a physician or nurse
engaged in rendering emergency medical care outside a
hospital, clinic, or other health care facility, and the
person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know
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that the victim is a peace officer, firefighter, emergency
medical technician, mobile intensive care paramedic,
lifeguard, process server, traffic officer, code enforcement
officer, animal control officer, or search and rescue member
engaged in the performance of his or her duties, or a
physician or nurse engaged in rendering emergency medical
care, the assault is punishable by a fine not exceeding
$2,000, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one
year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
7)Defines battery as any willful and unlawful use of force or
violence upon the person of another.
8)Provides when a battery is committed against the person of a
peace officer, custodial officer, firefighter, emergency
medical technician, lifeguard, security officer, custody
assistant, process server, traffic officer, code enforcement
officer, animal control officer, or search and rescue member
engaged in the performance of his or her duties, whether on or
off duty, including when the peace officer is in a police
uniform and is concurrently performing the duties required of
him or her as a peace officer while also employed in a private
capacity as a part-time or casual private security guard or
patrolman, or a nonsworn employee of a probation department
engaged in the performance of his or her duties, whether on or
off duty, or a physician or nurse engaged in rendering
emergency medical care outside a hospital, clinic, or other
health care facility, and the person committing the offense
knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a peace
officer, custodial officer, firefighter, emergency medical
technician, lifeguard, security officer, custody assistant,
process server, traffic officer, code enforcement officer,
animal control officer, or search and rescue member engaged in
the performance of his or her duties, nonsworn employee of a
probation department, or a physician or nurse engaged in
rendering emergency medical care, the battery is punishable by
a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by imprisonment in a county
jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and
imprisonment.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, negligible local law enforcement and incarceration
costs, offset to an unknown degree by increased fine revenue.
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COMMENTS : According to the author, "This bill attempts to
create a deterrent for sports fans that take team loyalty too
far and act out violently against fans of rival teams.
California is home to a long list of rival sports teams Giants
vs. Dodgers, Niners vs. Seahawks, Warriors vs. Lakers, Sharks
vs. Kings, Bears vs. Cardinal, Bruins vs. Trojans, etc. These
rivalries are good for sports.
"However, too often team loyalty, especially in rivalries, can
create violence between sports fans. Such violence often starts
with a friendly banter and razzing amongst rival team fans.
However, this may quickly escalate and these exchanges can turn
into loud arguments, aggressive pushing and shoving, and
dangerous violent acts.
"By increasing fines this bill will send fans a simple message,
'It's just a game.' If a fan commits assault or battery under
the conditions of this bill, the fan is going to face a
substantial fine. The hope is that this will help increase
awareness and allow for a repartee between fans that does not
escalate into violence."
Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion
of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Gabriel Caswell / PUB. S. / (916)
319-3744
FN: 0003360