California 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 537 — Serious felonies.

Last action — From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing law, as added by Proposition 8, adopted June 8, 1982, and amended by Proposition 21, adopted March 7, 2000, among other things, defines a serious felony. Existing law, also added by Proposition 8, adopted June 8, 1982, and amended by Proposition 36, adopted November 6, 2012, commonly known as the Three Strikes Law, requires increased penalties for certain recidivist offenders in addition to any other enhancement or penalty provisions that may apply, including individuals with current and prior convictions of a serious felony, as specified. Existing law, the Three Strikes Law, specifies that references to code sections contained in the law, including references to the definition of a serious felony, are to those statutes as they existed on November 7, 2012. The Legislature may directly amend Proposition 8 and Proposition 21 by a statute passed in each house by a 23 vote, or by a statute that becomes effective only when approved by the voters. The Legislature may directly amend Proposition 36 by a statute passed in each house by a 23 vote or by a statute that becomes effective when approved by a majority of the electors. This bill would amend those initiatives statutes by adding certain felonies, including threatening a witness, human trafficking with the intent to commit a sex offense, exploding a destructive device to terrorize, evading a pursuing peace officer and causing serious bodily injury, and taking a person from the lawful custody of a peace officer by means of a riot, among other crimes, to the definition of a serious felony, as specified. The bill would specify that for all offenses committed on or after January 1, 2018, references to code sections contained in the Three Strikes Law are to those statutes as they read January 1, 2018. Because the bill would impose additional duties on local prosecutors, and because it would expand the punishments for existing crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make other technical, nonsubstantive changes. 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.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).

  2. In committee: Set, second hearing. Failed passage.

  3. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

  5. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  6. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  7. From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  8. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Acosta · Primary
  • Mathis · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Acosta

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Mathis

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 537 do?
Existing law, as added by Proposition 8, adopted June 8, 1982, and amended by Proposition 21, adopted March 7, 2000, among other things, defines a serious felony. Existing law, also added by Proposition 8, adopted June 8, 1982, and amended by Proposition 36, adopted November 6, 2012, commonly known as the Three Strikes Law, requires increased penalties for certain recidivist offenders in addition to any other enhancement or penalty provisions that may apply, including individuals with current and prior convictions of a serious felony, as specified. Existing law, the Three Strikes Law, specifies that references to code sections contained in the law, including references to the definition of a serious felony, are to those statutes as they existed on November 7, 2012. The Legislature may directly amend Proposition 8 and Proposition 21 by a statute passed in each house by a 23 vote, or by a statute that becomes effective only when approved by the voters. The Legislature may directly amend Proposition 36 by a statute passed in each house by a 23 vote or by a statute that becomes effective when approved by a majority of the electors. This bill would amend those initiatives statutes by adding certain felonies, including threatening a witness, human trafficking with the intent to commit a sex offense, exploding a destructive device to terrorize, evading a pursuing peace officer and causing serious bodily injury, and taking a person from the lawful custody of a peace officer by means of a riot, among other crimes, to the definition of a serious felony, as specified. The bill would specify that for all offenses committed on or after January 1, 2018, references to code sections contained in the Three Strikes Law are to those statutes as they read January 1, 2018. Because the bill would impose additional duties on local prosecutors, and because it would expand the punishments for existing crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make other technical, nonsubstantive changes. 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.
Who sponsors AB 537?
AB 537 is sponsored by Acosta and Mathis.
What is the current status of AB 537?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 537?
Track AB 537 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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