SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) today announced his support of a proposed initiative, “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act” which would make changes to Prop 47 which lowered penalties for drug possession and certain theft crimes in 2014.
Ramos stated, “I am proud to lend my support to this public safety initiative that would make changes to Prop 47 which would address serious spikes to drug and theft crimes since the pandemic. Local law enforcement and my constituents are saying enough is enough to enough. They want the state to address the increases we’re seeing in homeless due to increased hard drug use, opioid-related overdoses and escalating numbers of smash and grab and retail theft crimes.”
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said: "Initiative backers are proud to include Assemblymember Ramos to our list of supporters. Throughout his public career, he has worked tirelessly to ensure public safety on a host of issues ranging from championing victims' rights to curbing fentanyl and opioid use to most recently introducing legislation to hold repeat retail theft offenders accountable for their crimes. He is a legislator that does his homework; last year he called for a state audit of prop 47 and its impact to the counties of San Bernardino and Riverside. The results of that audit are due this spring. We look forward to his collaboration on putting this important public safety measure before the voters."
INITIATIVE PROPOSAL SUMMARY
“The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act” would make the following changes to Prop 47:
- Provide drug and mental health treatment for people who are addicted to hard drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
- Add fentanyl to existing laws that prohibit the possession of hard drugs while armed with a loaded firearm.
- Add fentanyl to existing laws that prohibit the trafficking of large quantities of hard drugs.
- Permit judges to use their discretion to sentence drug dealers to state prison instead of county jail when they are convicted of trafficking hard drugs in large quantities or are armed with a firearm while engaging in drug trafficking.
- Warn convicted hard drug dealers and manufacturers that they can be charged with murder if they continue to traffic in hard drugs and someone dies as a result.
- Reinstate penalties for hard drug dealers whose trafficking kills or seriously injures a drug user.
- Increase penalties for people who repeatedly engage in theft.
- Add new laws to address the increasing problem of “smash and grab” thefts that result in significant losses and damage, or that are committed by multiple thieves working together.
The proposal needs 546,651 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) by April 23, 2024 to qualify for the November ballot. Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber cleared the proponents to begin collecting petition signatures on October 26, 2023. Weber’s tracking number for the initiative number is 1959. Attorney General Rob Bonta’s tracking number is 23-0017A1.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district which includes the Cities of Fontana, Highland, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature. Ramos chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Public Safety.