Stanislaus News

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Juan Alanis celebrated a significant milestone today as his retail theft legislation successfully passed out of its first policy committee. Speaking on the importance of adequate resources for enforcing laws, Alanis emphasized, "We can have all the laws we want on the books, but if we do not have the resources to move those cases in the courts, they are, in fact, ineffective laws."

The newly passed bill, AB 1845, aims to establish the Identifying, Apprehending, and Prosecuting Resale of Stolen Property Grant Program to provide funds to local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. Alanis highlighted the success of similar programs, like the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, in tackling retail theft issues in Stanislaus County.

Joining forces with other Assembly members and key figures in the legislature, Alanis expressed his commitment to bipartisan collaboration, stating, "I promised my constituents that I would work across the aisle on real solutions wherever they can be found." He added, "Doing nothing this year would have been unacceptable."

In a press conference alongside Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and other committee chairs, Alanis discussed the comprehensive Assembly package on retail theft legislation, which includes multiple bills targeting different aspects of the issue.

Regarding the potential for a ballot measure on Proposition 47, Alanis voiced his support for direct voter involvement, saying, "I support any effort where the people get to weigh in directly on the policies that govern their lives." He emphasized the importance of allowing voters to reconsider policies they have been living under for nearly a decade.

AB 1845 and AB 1972, both spearheaded by Assemblyman Juan Alanis, have now advanced to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Assemblymember Juan Alanis represents the 22nd Assembly District, encompassing various communities in California.