Grand theft: agricultural equipment.

Under existing law, obtaining property by theft with a value under $950 is petty theft, punishable as a misdemeanor, and obtaining property by theft with a value over $950 is grand theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony. Existing law authorizes a fine of $1,000 for a misdemeanor or $10,000 for a felony, upon conviction for a crime punishable by imprisonment for which a fine is not prescribed. This bill would, in a county participating in a Rural Crime Prevention Program, require the proceeds of a fine imposed for a grand theft involving agricultural property, as specified, to be allocated by the Controller, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program or the Central Coast Rural Crime Prevention Program. By requiring a prosecutor to prove additional elements 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.