Crimes: looting.

The definition of 'evacuation zone' for reconstruction (subparagraph C) was corrected from a garbled amendment that contained conflicting 'four years' and 'three years' language and a contradictory condition about the evacuation order being lifted, to a clear provision: residential dwelling units undergoing reconstruction are covered for up to three years after the date an evacuation order or warning went into effect, regardless of whether the order or warning has been lifted.

Administrative header changed from enrolled bill format (with passage dates and clerk signatures) to chaptered law format (STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL, CHAPTER 533).

Page numbering and layout reformatted throughout from 'AB 468' pagination to 'Ch. 533' pagination.

Governor's approval date filled in as October 10, 2025, replacing the blank line in the enrolled version.

The bill text was reformatted from a plain-text chaptered document into a web page layout with navigation elements (home, FAQ, search, bill information tabs), a version selector listing prior amendments, and a publication date stamp. All substantive provisions (Sections 1-5) remain unchanged.

The definition of 'evacuation zone' now includes a four-year time limit: residential dwelling units undergoing reconstruction are covered only for up to four years from the date an evacuation order or warning went into effect. Previously there was no time limit.

The separate definition of 'principal residence' (referencing Section 50425 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations) is removed. The evacuation zone definition now uses the broader term 'one or more residential dwelling units' instead of 'a principal residence.'

A new section makes the entire bill operative only if Senate Bill 571 of the 2025-26 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective on or before January 1, 2026. If SB 571 is not enacted by that date, AB 468 will not take effect.

Section 12022.67 was entirely removed. This section had imposed an additional consecutive term of imprisonment for three, four, or six years on anyone who impersonated emergency personnel during the commission of a felony in an evacuation zone. The remaining enhancement (Section 463.2) still applies specifically to looting convictions while impersonating emergency personnel.

Subdivision (g) of Section 463 was removed, which had prohibited release on notice to appear for anyone arrested for looting and required a court to make an individualized determination of the person's risk to public safety and likelihood of returning to court before release.

The penalty for first-degree burglary in an evacuation zone was changed from 'three, two, four, or seven years' to 'two, four, or seven years,' removing the three-year option.

The penalty for second-degree burglary in an evacuation zone was reduced from a specific term of 'two, three, or four years' in county jail to simply 'pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170,' removing the enhanced fixed-term range.

The penalty for grand theft in an evacuation zone was reduced from a specific term of 'two, three, or four years' in county jail to simply 'pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170,' removing the enhanced fixed-term range.

The penalty for trespass with intent to commit larceny in an evacuation zone was reduced from 'two, three, or four years' to 'one year' in county jail.

A new definition of 'reconstruction' was added: it includes, but is not limited to, the time from initial debris removal through the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. This clarifies how long the evacuation zone protection extends after a disaster.

The evacuation zone definition was clarified to include 'one or more residential dwelling units' undergoing reconstruction and to explicitly exclude 'detached structures on the same property that are not dwelling units or are not otherwise usable for human habitation.'

Three additional Assembly members (Hadwick, Harabedian, and Tangipa) were added as coauthors in the Senate version.

The theft-from-unlocked-vehicle provision now references Section 490.2 instead of 'paragraph (3)' and adds language stating it does not preclude prosecution under any other provision of law.

First-degree burglary committed in an evacuation zone now carries a sentencing range of three, two, four, or seven years in state prison (previously three, four, or seven years), adding a two-year option.

Trespass with intent to commit larceny in an evacuation zone is reduced from a fixed term of two, three, or four years in county jail to a wobbler punishable by one year in county jail or state prison under Section 1170(h).

Impersonating emergency personnel during an evacuation (Section 538i) is changed from a straight felony to a wobbler: now punishable as either a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail or a felony under Section 1170(h).

Section 463(c) narrows the geographic scope of evacuation-zone looting by removing the phrase 'or in an area that was in an evacuation zone,' so the enhanced penalties now apply only to offenses committed while an area is currently within an evacuation zone, not after it has been removed from one.

The bill now amends Penal Code Section 459 (burglary) to clarify that a structure damaged by a natural or other disaster is still considered 'inhabited' for burglary purposes, and that the extent of damage does not preclude conviction.

Section 463 (looting) is repealed and re-added with expanded coverage. It now includes 1st degree burglary, 2nd degree burglary, grand theft, petty theft, trespass with intent to commit larceny, and theft from a vehicle as looting offenses when committed in an evacuation zone, not just during a state or local emergency.

New Section 538i creates a felony for any person (other than specified emergency personnel or military) who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses the uniform, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate, card, or writing of emergency personnel in an evacuation zone with intent to fraudulently induce the belief they are such a person.

New definition of 'evacuation zone' is created, meaning an evacuation area or area subject to an evacuation warning. It also includes a principal residence while undergoing reconstruction after disaster damage, even after the evacuation order has been lifted.

Mandatory jail terms are added as conditions of probation: at least 180 days for most looting convictions, at least 90 days for petty theft-based looting. Courts may reduce or eliminate these only upon a specific finding that the interest of justice would best be served.

Community service requirements are added: up to 240 hours for 2nd degree burglary looting, up to 160 hours for grand theft and evacuation zone offenses, and up to 80 hours for petty theft looting.

A person arrested for looting can no longer be released on a notice to appear. They must be brought before a magistrate who must make an individualized determination of the person's risk to public safety and likelihood of returning to court before release.

New Section 463.2 adds a sentencing enhancement of one, two, or three years consecutive to the base penalty for anyone convicted of looting within an evacuation zone while impersonating emergency personnel.

New Section 12022.67 adds a sentencing enhancement of three, four, or six years consecutive for anyone who wears emergency personnel uniforms during the commission of a felony in an evacuation zone.

The bill now creates a state-mandated local program (changed from 'no' to 'yes'), and includes a provision stating no reimbursement is required under Article XIII B because the costs arise from creating new crimes or changing penalties.

An exemption is added: consensual entry into a commercial structure with intent to commit certain financial crimes (Sections 470, 476, 476a, 484f, or 484g) shall not be charged as looting.

The amendment date was updated from March 24, 2025 to April 2, 2025, with the prior date retained as a secondary line indicating the bill was amended twice in the Assembly.

A duplicate name typo in the coauthors list was corrected: 'Flora Flora' was changed to 'Flora.'

Extensive line-wrapping and page-number reformatting throughout the document, with page numbers shifting from 98 to 97. No substantive policy language was altered.

The fiscal committee designation was clarified from 'no yes' (indicating a change) to simply 'yes,' confirming that the bill requires fiscal committee review.