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.
Sponsored bills
This measure would recognize Nowrūz, the Persian New Year celebration.
This bill would designate March 2017 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
This measure would declare the last week of March every year as a statewide week of advocacy for Latino education.
This measure would proclaim the month of March 2017 to be Civil Grand Jury Awareness Month in California, would recognize those who volunteer to serve on civil grand juries, and would encourage all Californians to learn about the role of civil grand juries in our government.
This bill would proclaim the week of April 2, 2017, to April 8, 2017, inclusive, as Adult Education Week, and would honor the teachers, administrators, classified staff, and students of adult education programs statewide for their efforts, persistence, and accomplishments.
This measure would recognize the week of April 2 to April 8, 2017, inclusive, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in California.
This measure would designate March 12, 2017, through March 18, 2017, as Sunshine Week.
This measure would recognize March 2017 as Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month in order to raise awareness of the importance of the ongoing fight against blood cancers.
This measure would declare that President Abraham Lincoln be honored on February 12, 2017, the anniversary of his birthday.