California Assembly Bill 271
Session 20252026
Crimes: looting.
Active
Failed in Assembly on Feb 2, 2026
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
271
State
California
Session
20252026
Assembly votes are unavailable for this bill.
Summary
Existing law defines the crime of burglary, which consists of entering specified buildings, places, or vehicles with the intent to commit grand or petty theft or a felony. Existing law defines burglary of the first degree as any burglary of an inhabited building and makes burglary of the first degree punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2, 4, or 6 years. Existing law defines all other burglary as burglary of the 2nd degree and makes it punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for one year or as a felony. Existing law makes the theft of money, labor, or property petty theft punishable as a misdemeanor, whenever the value of the property taken does not exceed $950. Under existing law, if the value of the property taken exceeds $950, the theft is grand theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Existing law defines any 2nd-degree burglary or grand theft, during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency, as specified, as looting, punishable by either imprisonment in a county jail for one year or as a felony. Existing law makes petty theft committed during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency a misdemeanor and requires a minimum jail term of 90 days.
Existing law prohibits credibly impersonating a peace officer, firefighter, or employee of a state or local government agency, or a search and rescue team, as specified. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill would make looting by the means of a 2nd-degree burglary or grand theft punishable instead as a felony. The bill would define a petty theft committed during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency as looting and make it punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for one year or as a felony. The bill would require any person who in the course of committing or attempting to commit the crime of looting impersonated a peace officer, firefighter, or employee of a state or local government agency, or a search and rescue team, subject to a penalty enhancement. By increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
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02/02/2026
Assembly
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
01/31/2026
Assembly
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
04/29/2025
Assembly
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
04/16/2025
Assembly
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
03/28/2025
Assembly
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
01/22/2025
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee February 21.
01/21/2025
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Jan 22, 2025 6:02:01 AM
Record Updated
Feb 3, 2026 8:27:59 AM