Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced that his law enforcement-supported retail theft legislation passed out of their first policy committee.
“We can have all the laws we want on the books, but if we do not have the resources to move those cases in the courts, they are, in fact, ineffective laws,” said Assemblyman Alanis. “We must continue to fund successful programs like the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, which has proven successful in Stanislaus County, which I represent.”
AB 1845 establishes the Identifying, Apprehending, and Prosecuting Resale of Stolen Property Grant Program to allocate funds to local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. The goal is to enhance efforts in investigating and prosecuting criminal networks that drive the market for theft, focusing on receiving stolen goods crimes and criminal profiteering. Grant programs like the one this bill aims to create have been successful up and down the state and have boosted the resolution of many retail theft cases that have otherwise been stalled in the courts.
Assemblymember Alanis also joined Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Chairs of the Public Safety Committee and Select Committee on Retail Theft, Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty and Rick Chavez Zbur, respectively, at a press conference to announce the complete Assembly package on retail theft legislation.
Those bills include:
AB 2943 - Speaker Robert Rivas & Asm. Rick Chavez Zbur
AB 1972 - Asm. Juan Alanis
AB 1974 – Asm. Kevin McCarty
AB 3209 - Asm. Marc Berman
AB 1779 - Asm. Jacqui Irwin
AB 1802 - Asm. Jones-Sawyer
AB 1960 - Asm. Esmeralda Soria
“I promised my constituents that I would work across the aisle on real solutions wherever they can be found,” added Alanis. “California’s retail theft issues did not appear overnight and will not be solved overnight. I am proud that my bill AB 1972, dealing with cargo theft, was included in today’s bipartisan retail theft package. Doing nothing this year would have been unacceptable. I believe this bipartisan effort takes positive steps forward, but much more work must be done, including consideration of a potential ballot measure to allow the voters to decide themselves if they want to make changes to Proposition 47 at the ballot box.”
AB 1972 would expand the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) property crimes task force to support identified counties with increased cargo theft. The bill will also require the CHP to provide railroad police with logistical support and other law enforcement resources, such as personnel and equipment, to combat cargo theft.
When asked about a potential ballot measure attempting to qualify, which would allow voters to hold a referendum on Proposition 47, a bill that was passed by the voters nearly a decade ago, the Assemblyman answered, “I support any effort where the people get to weigh in directly on the policies that govern their lives. I support the voters getting a chance to weigh in on Proposition 47 at the ballot box after nearly 10 years of living under its policies. They deserve the right to change their minds about Proposition 47 if they choose to do so.”
AB 1845 and AB 1972 have now advanced to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Assemblyman Alanis wants schools teaching basic financial skills
State Assemblyman Juan Alanis wants to see California students learn important life skills dealing with finances and he believes his AB 1871, which just received unanimous support on the floor, will do the trick.
“This bill is a common-sense measure that would ensure students learn important financial skills like filing taxes, taking out loans, budgeting, and more,” said the Modesto Republican. “Learning about personal finance can change someone’s life, and unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to learn. It should be an educational priority for all California students.”
If it becomes law, AB 1871 will require schools to teach personal finance as part of students’ social studies coursework before they graduate high school.
The bill, which is part of Alanis’ education package introduced this year, is awaiting referral to a policy committee in the State Senate. This is his fourth bill to pass through the Assembly this year.
Alanis’ Prescription Labeling Bill Heads to the Senate
Assemblymember Juan Alanis announced that his proposal to require accessible prescription labeling has passed a full vote in the Assembly.
“This is a common-sense measure that aligns with federal recommendations,” said Assemblymember Alanis. “Pharmacies already provide language translations on their labels, but for some reason, those who are blind or low-vision have been left out for far too long.”
AB 1902 would require pharmacies to provide accessible prescription labels or supplemental documentation to patients who identify as blind or have low vision upon request.
If passed, AB 1902 would make California one of many states to require accessible labels for patients who are blind or have low vision. Chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have already implemented this, but it is not yet a statewide mandate.
“We need to continue working toward making healthcare accessible and affordable to all citizens,” said the Assemblyman. “It is time to follow in the footsteps of states like Oregon and Nevada and make prescription labels that cater to all patient’s needs.”
AB 1902 passed through the Assembly without opposition. The bill now awaits referral to a Senate Committee. It is the fifth bill authored by the Assemblymember this year to pass in the Assembly.
