Retail Theft in California: Democrats push new bills [Video]

Key parts of the package could be voted on by the Senate as soon as Thursday and by the Assembly on Monday to reach the governor’s desk next week.

Assembly Bill 2943 would create a new felony charge for thieves who steal more than $950 worth of property with the intent to “sell, exchange, or return the merchandise for value.” The value of the stolen items can also be totaled together if the person committed thefts within two years, or acted with someone else who also had the intent to sell. 

After Democrats introduced their failed anti-crime ballot measure last month, AB 2943 was amended to avoid any duplicative or conflicting provisions. But now that the proposition has been nixed, the bill was amended Monday to revert back to essentially the same version the Assembly …