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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Statewide Petition - Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft DATE: May 21, 2024 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Receive and File SUMMARY During the April 16, 2024, City Council Meeting, Mayor Verlato received support from two City Council Members to place an item on a future agenda regarding a petition that was submitted for the 2024 Statewide General Election. The petition in question is the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act (23-0017 A1), which gathered over 910,000 signatures of support. As of May 16, 2024, the Secretary of State’s random sample shows the initiative is failing to collect the number of valid signatures needed to qualify for the 2024 General Election. As a result, the petition for the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act is projected to fail the random signature sample phase and is not expected to proceed any further for the November 2024 election. It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report. HISTORY The proponents of the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act (the “Act”) crafted this initiative to reform existing state laws that may be contributing to the surge in homelessness, drug addiction, and theft in California. The Act was originally described as a reform to Proposition 47, which was approved by voters in 2014 and reclassified certain non-violent felonies to misdemeanors. Some of the recategorizations from felonies to misdemeanors included property crimes with damages less than $950 and simple drug possession charges. Importantly, Proposition 47 allowed for the resentencing or retroactive reclassification of certain felonies to misdemeanors. Felonies that are eligible for resentencing or reclassification into misdemeanors include forgery and bad checks, commercial burglary, petty theft with prior convictions, grand theft, possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance. Statewide Petition – Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft May 7, 2024 Page 2 of 3 The intent behind Proposition 47 was to reduce incarcerations and the affiliated costs for non-violent offenses, reinvesting those resources into victim services, drug and mental health treatment, and K-12 programming for at-risk youth. After nearly a decade of implementation, it appears that Proposition 47 paved a path for repeat offenders engaged in retail theft, burglary, drug trafficking, and other offenses. The City of Arcadia and many cities in the region had taken a stance to oppose Proposition 47 at the time it was placed before the voters for this very reason. In order to curb the negative consequences of Proposition 47, a petition for the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act (the “Act”) began circulating among voters this winter, with the hope of qualifying for the November 2024 General Election. The primary objective of the Act is to: • Authorize felony charges for the possession of certain drugs, especially fentanyl, and thefts under $950 for anyone with two prior drug or theft convictions. o Defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment are eligible to have those charges dismissed. • Extend sentences for certain theft and drug crimes. • Use any cost savings from the shift in programming towards new felony treatment programs. DISCUSSION During the April 16, 2024, City Council Meeting, Mayor Verlato received support from two City Council Members to place an item on a future agenda regarding support for the Act. Upon approval to add this item to a future agenda, staff began monitoring the petition as it reached different milestones throughout the qualification process for the November 2024 Statewide Ballot. As part of the qualification process, any petition or ballot measure must obtain a certain number of valid signatures from California registered voters, which is based on a percentage of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. For the 2024 General Election, the total number of valid signatures for an Initiative Statute is 546,651. Proponents of the Act collected and submitted over 910,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office. As part of the signature verification process, the Secretary of State undertakes a multi-step effort that begins with a raw count of signatures, progresses to a random sample of signatures, and ultimately concludes with a full check of all signatures. Before a measure can proceed to a full check of all signatures, the results from the random sampling of signatures must produce a validity rate of 95%. For this initiative, results from the random sampling of signatures were first reported on May 8 and yielded a validity rate of 81.4%. As of May 14, 2024, the random signature sampling for this measure increased to 16,014 signatures and resulted in a lower validity rate of 80.7%. The random sampling of signatures for the Act is expected to continue, but with the validity rate falling well below the 95% rate and becoming progressively lower and with each Statewide Petition – Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft May 7, 2024 Page 3 of 3 sampling, the initiative is not expected to progress any further. Since the number of valid signatures of the initiative’s sample are projected to be less than the 95% threshold, the measure fails to qualify for the 2024 General Election Ballot. At this time, no further action will be taken on this measure. As a result, it is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report. However, should the measure or something similar be resubmitted in future election cycles, it would be recommended that the City Council support any such efforts to modify Proposition 47. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. FISCAL IMPACT There is no impact to the City’s budget as a result of receiving and filing this report. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and receive and file this report. Attachment No. 1: Initiative Statute 23-0017 A1 - Random Sample Results (5/14/2024) Attachment No. 2: Initiative Statute 23-0017 A1 - Random Sample Results (5/10/2024) Attachment No. 3: Ballot Measure Text - Homelessness, Drug Addiction, & Theft Reduction Act 1959. ALLOWS FELONY CHARGES AND INCREASES SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN DRUG AND THEFT CRIMES. INITIATIVE STATUTE. PETITION sos sos RANDOM FILED REC'D REC'D RAW SAMPLE/ VALID VALID OR COUNTY W/COUNTY RAW RANDOM COUNT FULL CHECK SIGS. INVALID DUP. PROJ. VALID % 1. ALAMEDA 04/19/24 05/01/24 47,939 0 0.0% 2.ALPINE 04/08/24 04/23/24 04/23/24 2 2 0 50.0% 3. AMADOR 04/19/24 04/19/24 05/14/24 Random Notice: 1,358 500 454 46 0 1,233 90.8% 4. BUTTE 04/19/24 04/19/24 05/03/24 04/30/24 4,988 500 420 80 0 4,190 84.0% 5. CALAVERAS 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/30/24 Random Due: 844 500 446 54 752 89.1% 6. COLUSA 04/18/24 04/18/24 06/12/24 289 0 0.0% 7. CONTRA COSTA 04/19/24 04/24/24 22,773 0 0.0% 8. DEL NORTE 04/18/24 04/22/24 296 0 0.0% 9. EL DORADO 04/18/24 04/22/24 4,849 0 0.0% 10. FRESNO 04/18/24 04/23/24 25,815 0 0.0% 11. GLENN 04/19/24 04/24/24 05/06/24 847 500 378 122 639 75.5% 12. HUMBOLDT 04/19/24 04/25/24 949 0 0.0% 13. IMPERIAL 04/18/24 04/25/24 05/06/24 3,548 500 357 143 1 2,490 70.2% 14. INYO 04/19/24 04/22/24 04/24/24 72 72 60 12 0 60 83.3% 15. KERN 04/18/24 04/25/24 27,891 0 0.0% 16. KINGS 04/18/24 04/23/24 05/09/24 2,952 500 379 121 0 2,238 75.8% 17. LAKE 04/19/24 04/22/24 920 0 0.0% 18. LASSEN 04/19/24 04/24/24 05/13/24 838 500 415 85 0 696 83.0% 19. LOS ANGELES 04/19/24 05/01/24 264,507 0 0.0% 20. MADERA 04/18/24 04/22/24 04/24/24 3,966 500 413 87 1 3,221 81.2% 21. MARIN 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/10/24 3,716 500 434 66 0 3,225 86.8% 22. MARIPOSA 04/22/24 04/23/24 05/02/24 332 332 290 42 290 87.3% 23. MENDOCINO 04/19/24 04/19/24 04/23/24 1,024 501 405 96 826 80.6% 24. MERCED 04/18/24 04/22/24 05/10/24 6,190 500 421 79 1 5,071 81.9% 25. MODOC 04/19/24 04/22/24 04/22/24 60 60 49 11 0 49 81.7% 26. MONO 04/18/24 04/25/24 04/26/24 13 13 12 0 12 92.3% 27. MONTEREY 04/19/24 04/24/24 05/08/24 3,760 500 391 109 0 2,940 78.2% 28. NAPA 04/18/24 04/18/24 05/02/24 1,827 500 417 83 0 1,524 83.4% 29. NEVADA 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/22/24 2,045 500 450 50 0 1,841 90.0% 30. ORANGE 04/19/24 04/29/24 79,561 0 0.0% 31. PLACER 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/13/24 9,328 500 454 46 0 8,470 90.8% 32. PLUMAS 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/02/24 225 225 190 35 0 190 84.4% 33. RIVERSIDE 04/19/24 04/30/24 53,591 0 0.0% 34. SACRAMENTO 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/07/24 30,424 913 736 177 0 24,526 80.6% 35. SAN BENITO 04/18/24 04/24/24 298 0 0.0% 36. SAN BERNARDINO 04/19/24 04/30/24 41,797 0 0.0% 37. SAN DIEGO 04/19/24 04/25/24 65,775 0 0.0% 38. SAN FRANCISCO 04/19/24 04/26/24 05/14/24 34,261 1,028 807 221 25,818 75.4% 39. SAN JOAQUIN 04/19/24 04/29/24 23,088 0 0.0% 40. SAN LUIS OBISPO 04/19/24 04/30/24 05/13/24 7,856 500 410 90 0 6,442 82.0% 41. SAN MATEO 04/19/24 04/29/24 8,492 0 0.0% 42. SANTA BARBARA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/06/24 4,116 500 416 84 0 3,425 83.2% 43. SANTA CLARA 04/26/24 04/26/24 15,283 0 0.0% 44. SANTA CRUZ 04/19/24 04/27/24 05/14/24 6,506 500 429 71 0 5,582 85.8% 45. SHASTA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/03/24 9,503 500 401 99 0 7,621 80.2% 46. SIERRA 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/18/24 7 7 7 0 0 7 100.0% 47. SISKIYOU 04/19/24 04/22/24 05/01/24 819 500 455 45 2 743 90.7% 48. SOLANO 04/19/24 04/23/24 04/26/24 21,456 645 542 103 0 18,030 84.0% 49. SONOMA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/03/24 7,527 500 399 101 0 6,007 79.8% 50. STANISLAUS 04/19/24 04/22/24 05/13/24 19,668 591 460 131 0 15,308 77.8% 51. SUTTER 04/18/24 04/30/24 1,599 0 0.0% 52. TEHAMA 04/19/24 04/19/24 2,378 0 0.0% 53. TRINITY 04/22/24 04/22/24 05/09/24 112 112 96 16 0 96 85.7% 54. TULARE 04/18/24 04/18/24 05/06/24 8,370 500 397 103 0 6,646 79.4% 55. TUOLUMNE 04/18/24 04/24/24 RANGE: 1,783 0 0.0% 56. VENTURA 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/08/24 110% = 601,317 17,109 513 422 91 0 14,074 82.3% 57. YOLO 04/19/24 04/19/24 04/26/24 100% = 546,651 3,026 500 397 103 2,372 78.4% 58. YUBA 04/19/24 04/22/24 95% = 519,319 1,873 0 0.0% iTOTAL: 910,441 16,014 13,210 2,804 11 176,653 80.78% For questions regarding this spreadsheet please contact: Secretary of State Elections Division (916) 657-2166 5/14/2024 4:46 PM Attachment No. 1 1959. ALLOWS FELONY CHARGES AND INCREASES SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN DRUG AND THEFT CRIMES. INITIATIVE STATUTE. PETITION SOS SOS RANDOM FILED REC'D REC'D RAW SAMPLE/ VALID VALID OR COUNTY W/COUNTY RAW RANDOM COUNT FULL CHECK SIGS. INVALID DUP. PROJ. VALID % 1.ALAMEDA 04/19/24 05/01/24 47,939 0 0.0% 2.ALPINE 04/08/24 04/23/24 04/23/24 2 2 1 1 0 1 50.0% 3.AMADOR 04/19/24 04/19/24 Random Notice: 1,358 0 0.0% 4.BUTTE 04/19/24 04/19/24 05/03/24 04/30/24 4,988 500 420 80 0 4,190 84.0% 5.CALAVERAS 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/30/24 Random Due: 844 500 446 54 1 752 89.1% 6.COLUSA 04/18/24 04/18/24 06/12/24 289 0 0.0% 7.CONTRA COSTA 04/19/24 04/24/24 22,773 0 0.0% 8.DEL NORTE 04/18/24 04/22/24 296 0 0.0% 9.EL DORADO 04/18/24 04/22/24 4,849 0 0.0% 10.FRESNO 04/18/24 04/23/24 25,815 0 0.0% 11.GLENN 04/19/24 04/24/24 05/06/24 847 500 378 122 1 639 75.5% 12.HUMBOLDT 04/19/24 04/25/24 949 0 0.0% 13.IMPERIAL 04/18/24 04/25/24 05/06/24 3,548 500 357 143 1 2,490 70.2% 14.INYO 04/19/24 04/22/24 04/24/24 72 72 60 12 0 60 83.3% 15.KERN 04/18/24 04/25/24 27,891 0 0.0% 16. KINGS 04/18/24 04/23/24 05/09/24 2,952 500 379 121 0 2,238 75.8% 17.LAKE 04/19/24 04/22/24 920 0 0.0% 18.LASSEN 04/23/24 04/24/24 838 0 0.0% 19.LOS ANGELES 04/19/24 05/01/24 264,507 0 0.0% 20.MADERA 04/18/24 04/22/24 04/24/24 3,966 500 413 87 1 3,221 81.2% 21.MARIN 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/10/24 3,716 500 434 66 0 3,225 86.8% 22.MARIPOSA 04/22/24 04/23/24 05/02/24 332 332 290 42 1 290 87.3% 23.MENDOCINO 04/19/24 04/19/24 04/23/24 1,024 501 405 96 1 826 80.6% 24.MERCED 04/18/24 04/22/24 6,190 0 0.0% 25. MODOC 04/19/24 04/22/24 04/22/24 60 60 49 11 0 49 81.7% 26.MONO 04/18/24 04/25/24 04/26/24 13 13 12 1 0 12 92.3% 27.MONTEREY 04/19/24 04/24/24 05/08/24 3,760 500 391 109 0 2,940 78.2% 28.NAPA 04/18/24 04/18/24 05/02/24 1,827 500 417 83 0 1,524 83.4% 29.NEVADA 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/22/24 2,045 500 450 50 0 1,841 90.0% 30. ORANGE 04/19/24 04/29/24 79,561 0 0.0% 31.PLACER 04/19/24 04/23/24 9,328 0 0.0% 32.PLUMAS 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/02/24 225 225 190 35 0 190 84.4% 33.RIVERSIDE 04/19/24 04/30/24 53,591 0 0.0% 34. SACRAMENTO 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/07/24 30,424 913 736 177 0 24,526 80.6% 35.SAN BENITO 04/18/24 04/24/24 298 0 0.0% 36. SAN BERNARDINO 04/19/24 04/30/24 41,797 0 0.0% 37.SAN DIEGO 04/19/24 04/25/24 65,775 0 0.0% 38. SAN FRANCISCO 04/19/24 04/26/24 34,261 0 0.0% 39. SAN JOAQUIN 04/19/24 04/29/24 23,088 0 0.0% 40. SAN LUIS OBISPO 04/19/24 04/30/24 7,856 0 0.0% 41.SAN MATEO 04/19/24 04/29/24 8,492 0 0.0% 42. SANTA BARBARA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/06/24 4,116 500 416 84 0 3,425 83.2% 43. SANTA CLARA 04/26/24 04/26/24 15,283 0 0.0% 44.SANTA CRUZ 04/19/24 04/27/24 6,506 0 0.0% 45.SHASTA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/03/24 9,503 500 401 99 0 7,621 80.2% 46.SIERRA 04/18/24 04/18/24 04/18/24 7 7 7 0 0 7 100.0% 47. SISKIYOU 04/19/24 04/22/24 05/01/24 819 500 455 45 2 743 90.7% 48.SOLANO 04/19/24 04/23/24 04/26/24 21,456 645 542 103 0 18,030 84.0% 49. SONOMA 04/19/24 04/23/24 05/03/24 7,527 500 399 101 0 6,007 79.8% 50.STANISLAUS 04/19/24 04/22/24 19,668 0 0.0% 51.SUTTER 04/18/24 04/30/24 1,599 0 0.0% 52.TEHAMA 04/19/24 04/19/24 2,378 0 0.0% 53. TRINITY 04/22/24 04/22/24 05/09/24 112 112 96 16 0 96 85.7% 54.TULARE 04/18/24 04/18/24 05/06/24 8,370 500 397 103 0 6,646 79.4% 55.TUOLUMNE 04/18/24 04/24/24 RANGE: 1,783 0 0.0% 56.VENTURA 04/19/24 04/29/24 05/08/24 110% = 601,317 17,109 513 422 91 0 14,074 82.3% 57.YOLO 04/19/24 04/19/24 04/26/24 100% = 546,651 3,026 500 397 103 1 2,372 78.4% 58.YUBA 04/19/24 04/22/24 95% = 519,319 1,873 0 0.0% TOTAL: 910,441 11,395 9,360 2,035 9 108,033 81.42% For questions regarding this spreadsheet please contact: Secretary of State Elections Division (916) 657-2166 5/10/2024 4:38 PM Attachment No. 2 THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT SECTION 1. Title This Act shall be known as The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. SECTION 2. Purposes and Intent This measure will reform laws that have dramatically increased homelessness, drug addiction, and theft throughout California. This measure will: A. Provide drug and mental health treatment for people who are addicted to hard drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. B. Add fentanyl to existing laws that prohibit the possession of hard drugs while armed with a loaded firearm. C. Add fentanyl to existing laws that prohibit the trafficking of large quantities of hard drugs. D. 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. E. W am 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. F. Reinstate penalties for hard drug dealers whose trafficking kills or seriously injures a drug user. G. Increase penalties for people who repeatedly engage in theft. H. 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. 1 23-0017 A1Attachment No. 3 SECTION 3. Findings and Declarations The People of the State of California find and declare as follows: A. Reducing Homelessness Through Drug and Mental Health Treatment 1. California has reached a tipping point in its homelessness, drug, mental health, and theft crises. Our state has the highest rate of_homelessness per capita of any state in the. country. And drug overdoses now kill two to three times the number of people in California as car accidents. 2. Since the passage of Proposition 4 7 in 2014, homelessness in California has increased by 51 %, while during the same time period in the rest of the country, it has declined by 11 %. Proposition 4 7 reduced the legal consequences of both possession of hard drugs (fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine), and theft. The result has been massive increases in drug addiction, mental illness, and property crimes, including retail theft, committed by addicts to support their addiction. At the same time, California has seen a dramatic decrease in mental health and drug treatment for homeless people due to reduced incentives to participate in treatment. Our homelessness problem is directly connected to these unintended consequences of Proposition 4 7, which the voters now desire to correct. 3. Progressive states such as New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan have significantly stronger hard drug laws than California, and their homeless rate is 4 to 5 times lower than California's. 4. This proposal takes a modest step in the direction of these states by enacting a new class of crime called a "treatment-mandated felony." Under this new "treatment- mandated felony," prosecutors would have the discretion to charge a felony for hard drug possession after two previous drug convictions. If charged with this "treatment-mandated felony" for a third or subsequent drug offense, the offender would be given the option of participating in drug and mental health treatment. If the offender successfully completes drug and mental health treatment, the charge would be fully expunged, and the offender would receive no jail time. If the offender refuses drug and mental health treatment, they would serve jail time for hard drug possession. For a second conviction of the treatment- mandated felony (the 4 th total conviction for hard drug possession), a judge would have the option of imposing time in jail or state prison. Along with hard drug and mental health treatment, offenders charged with a treatment-mandated felony would be offered shelter, job training, and other services designed to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness. B. Cracking Down on Hard Drug Dealers 1. Fentanyl is the most dangerous drug that our nation has ever seen. Because it is largely produced synthetically, fentanyl is typically cheaper than other hard drugs. As a result, drug dealers now regularly include fentanyl in other drugs such as diet, anxiety, and 2 sleeping pills, cocaine, and heroin. Further, fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Therefore, a very tiny amount offentanyl can prove deadly. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl provides enough of the drug to manufacture four to ten million doses, or enough to kill 500,000 people. Finally, because such a small amount of fentanyl is necessary to create addiction, it is easier to smuggle across the border in smaller, yet much more deadly quantities. 2. This Act would authorize greater consequences for hard drug dealers whose trafficking kills or seriously injures a person who uses those drugs, and it would provide a mechanism to 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. 3. This Act would add non-prescription fentanyl to an existing list of hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, for which it is illegal to possess the drug while armed with a loaded firearm. 4. This Act would also add non-prescription fentanyl to an existing list of hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine that authorizes greater consequences for drug dealers who sell large quantities of hard drugs. 5. This Act also permits judges to sentence drug dealers who traffic in large quantities of hard drugs or who are armed with a firearm while trafficking in hard drugs to state prison instead of local county jails. Only our state prisons are equipped to manage security for hardened drug dealers and to provide them the rehabilitation services they need to safely re-enter society. C. Accountability for Repeat Theft and Smash and Grab Thefts 1. Prior to Proposition 4 7, individuals who repeatedly engaged in theft could be charged with a felony. Prop 4 7 eliminated this repeat offender felony and instead provided that any theft up to $950 in value is now a misdemeanor -regardless of how many times the offender has committed theft. In practice, this means that an offender who repeatedly steals up to $950 in value faces virtually no legal consequences. 2. The result has been an explosion in retail and cargo theft causing stores throughout California to close to protect employees and customers from criminal activity that disrupts the efficient delivery of products directly to consumers and creates billions of dollars in economic losses to our local communities and state. This rapid increase in retail and cargo theft has also contributed to rising inflation, as businesses have been forced to raise prices to account for their economic losses. This retail and cargo theft explosion has collided with the fentany 1 epidemic, as hard drug users have engaged in brazen theft to support their drug habits, knowing that there will be no consequences for either their theft or their hard drug use. 3. Under this Act, an offender with two prior convictions for theft can be charged with a felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property. Diversion programs will continue to 3 exist, meaning that judges will retain discretion not to incarcerate an off ender even for more than two theft convictions. But prosecutors will have the ability to bring felony charges against hardened, repeat offenders who continue to engage in theft. Judges will have the discretion to sentence a repeat offender to jail in appropriate cases, or to state prison if an off ender is convicted four or more times of theft. 4. This Act also authorizes judges to exercise their discretion to impose an enhanced penalty when an offender steals, damages, or destroys property by acting together with two or more offenders or by causing losses of $50,000 or more. By permitting discretion in these scenarios, judges will be able to fashion sentences that are appropriate for the crime committed, including so-called "smash and grabs" committed by mobs or large groups of people working together. 5. The value of property stolen in multiple thefts will be permitted to be added together so that in appropriate cases an offender may be charged with felony theft instead of petty theft. This provision addresses the problem of offenders who commit a series of thefts in which the property stolen during each theft has a value under the $950 felony theft threshold, in order to insulate themselves from felony charges. 6. Along with the hard drug provisions in this Act, these theft law changes will stop the vicious cycle of hard drug users stealing to support their habits without legal consequences for their actions. SECTION 4. Section 11369 is added to the Health & Safety Code to read: 11369. (a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as Alexandra's Law. (b) The court shall advise a person who is convicted of, or who pleads guilty or no contest to, a violation of Section 11351, 11351.5, 11352, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, 11379.5, or 11379.6 involving a hard drug, of the following: "You are hereby advised that it is extremely dangerous and deadly to human life to illicitly manufacture, distribute, sell, furnish, administer, or give away any drugs in any form, including real or counterfeit drugs or pills. You can kill someone by engaging in such conduct. All drugs and counterfeit pills are dangerous to human life. These substances alone, or mixed, kill human beings in ve1y small doses. If you illicitly manufacture, distribute, sell, furnish administer, or give away any real or counterfeit drugs or pills, and that conduct results in the death of a human being, you could be charged with homicide, up to and including the crime of murder, within the meaning of Section 187 of the Penal Code. " (c) The advisory statement shall be provided to the defendant in writing, either on a plea form if used, as an addendum to a plea form, or at sentencing, and the fact that the advisory was given shall be specified on the record and recorded in the abstract of the conviction. 4 (d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), as used in this section, "hard drug" means a substance listed in Sections 11054 or 11055, including a substance containingfentanyl; heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, or phencyclidine, and the analogs of any of these substances as defined in Sections 11400 and 11401. (2) As used in this section "hard drug'' does not include cannabis, cannabis products, peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or other psychedelic drugs such as mescaline and psilocybin (mushrooms), or any other substance listed in subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 11054, or, with the exception of methamphetamine, any other substance listed in subdivision (d) of Section 11055. SECTION 5. Section 11370.1 of the Health & Safety Code is amended to read: 11370.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 11350 or 11377 or any other provision oflaw, every person who unlawfully possesses any amount of a substance containing cocaine base, a substance containing cocaine, a substance containing heroin, a substance containing methamphetamine, a substance containing fentanyl, a crystalline substance containing phencyclidine, a liquid substance containing phencyclidine, plant material containing phencyclidine, or a hand-rolled cigarette treated with phencyclidine while armed with a loaded, operable firearm is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years. (k) Subdivision {a) does not apply to any person lawfully possessing fentanyl, including with a valid prescription. 1£1 As used in this-subdivision {gJ_,_ "armed with" means having available for immediate offensive or defensive use. -fat-( d) Any person who is convicted under this section shall be ineligible for diversion or deferred entry of judgment under Chapter 2.5 ( commencing with Section 1000) of Title 6 of Part 2 of the Penal Code. SECTION 6. Section 11370.4 of the Health & Safety Code is amended to read: 11370.4. (a)--Afly-{1JA person convicted of a violation of, or of a conspiracy to violate, Section 11351, 11351.5, or 11352 with respect to a substance containing heroin, cocaine base as specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, or cocaine as specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 11055 shall receive an additional state prison term as follows: (l)\l/here 5 {A,lJfthe substance exceeds one kilogram by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of three years. (2)Vlhere (ll)_Jfthe substance exceeds four kilograms by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of five years. (3)\Vhere {{;l]f.the substance exceeds 10 kilograms by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of 10 years. (4)'Nhere {l2)_Jfthe substance exceeds 20 kilograms by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of 15 years. (5)\Vhere (Jj;)_Jfthe substance exceeds 40 kilograms by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of20 years. (6)Where {EJ.Jfthe substance exceeds 80 kilograms by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of25 years . .Ql_ The conspiracy enhancements provided for in this subdivision shall not be imposed unless the trier of fact finds that the defendant conspirator was substantially involved in the planning, direction, execution, or financing of the underlying offense. (b) Aey-{J_)_A_ person convicted of a violation of, or of conspiracy to violate, Section 11378, 11378.5, 11379, or 11379.5 with respect to a substance containing methamphetamine, amphetamine, phencyclidine (PCP) and its analogs shall receive an additional state prison term as follows: (l)\\7here {A,lJfthe substance exceeds one kilogram by weight, or 30 liters by liquid volume, the person shall receive an additional term of three years. 6 {JJ)_jf the substance exceeds four kilograms by weight, or 100 liters by liquid volume, the person shall receive an additional term of five years. (3)Where {QJf the substance exceeds 10 kilograms by weight, or 200 liters by liquid volume, the person shall receive an additional term of 10 years. (4)\1/here (J])_Jfthe substance exceeds 20 kilograms by weight, or 400 liters by liquid volume, the person shall receive an additional term of 15 years. Ql In computing the quantities involved in this subdivision, plant or vegetable material seized shall not be included. ill The conspiracy enhancements provided for in this subdivision shall not be imposed unless the trier of fact finds that the defendant conspirator was substantially involved in the planning, direction, execution, or financing of the underlying offense. (c) (1) A person convicted ofa violation of or ofa conspiracy to violate. Section 11351 or 11352 with respect to a substance containing fentanyl shall receive an additional state prison term as .follo-ws: (A) Jfthe substance exceeds 28.35 grams (one ounce) by weight. the person shall receive an additional term of three years. (B) If the substance exceeds 100 grams by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of five years. (C) Jfthe substance exceeds 500 grams by weight, the person shall receive an additional term of seven years. (D) Jfthe substance exceeds one kilogram by weight. the person shall receive an additional term ofJ0 years. (E) If the substance exceeds four kilograms by weight. the person shall receive an additional term of] 3 years. (F) If the substance exceeds 10 kilograms by weight. the person shall receive an additional term ofJ6 years. (G) Jfthe substance exceeds 20 kilograms by weight. the person shall receive an additional term ofl9 years. 7 (H) If the substance exceeds 40 kilograms by weight. the person shall receive an additional term of22 years. (I) If the substance exceeds 80 kilograms by weight. the person shall receive an additional term of25 years. (2) The conspiracy enhancements provided for in this subdivision shall not be imposed unless the trier olfact finds that the defendant conspirator was substantially involved in the planning, direction. execution. or financing of the underlying offense. fej @.The additional terms provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the allegation that the weight of the substance containing heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base as specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, cocaine as specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 11055, methamphetamine, amphetamine, or phencyclidine (PCP) and its analogs exceeds the amounts provided in this section is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted or found to be true by the trier of fact. (e)Notwithstandingparagraph (9) o(subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code. a defendant convicted of an underlying violation specified in this section who admits an enhancement pursuant to this section or for whom an enhancement pursuant to this section is .found true. is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison and not pursuant to subdivision (h) o{Section 1170 ofthe Penal Code. fdj {tlThe additional terms provided in this section shall be in addition to any other punishment provided by law. W ..(g2Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may strike the additional punishment for the enhancements provided in this section if it determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the additional punishment and states on the record its reasons for striking the additional punishment. SECTION 7. Article 8 (commencing with Section 11395) is added to Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health & Safety Code, to read: 11395. (a) This section shall be known as the "Treatment-Mandated Felony. " (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, and except as provided in subdivision (d), a person described in subdivision (c) who possesses a hard drug, unless upon the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code. A second or subsequent conviction of this section, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year or by imprisonment in the state prison. 8 (2) A person shall not be sentenced to jail or prison pursuant to this section unless a court determines that the person is not eligible or suitable for treatment or that any other circumstance described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) applies to that person. (c) Subdivision (b) applies to a person who has two or more prior convictions for a felony or misdemeanor violation of Sections 11350, 11351, 11351.5, 11352, 11353, 11353.5, 11353. 7, 11370.1, 11377, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, 11379.5, 11379.6, 11380, or 11395, including a conviction that occurred before the effective date of this section. Prior convictions shall be alleged in the accusatory pleading, and either admitted by the defendant in open court or found to be true by the trier of fact. (d) (l)(i) In lieu of a jail or prison sentence, or a grant of probation with jail as a condition of probation, a defendant charged with a violation of this section may elect treatment by pleading guilty or no contest to a violation of this section and admitting the alleged prior convictions, waiving time for sentencing and the pronouncement of judgment, and agreeing to participate in, and complete, a detailed treatment program developed by a drug addiction expert and approved by the court. A defendant's plea of guilty or no contest shall not constitute a conviction for any purpose unless judgment is entered pursuant to paragraph ( 4) for a violation of this section. (ii) Upon or subsequent to arraignment for a violation of this section, and at the request or with the consent of the defendant or their attorney, the court shall order a drug addiction expert to conduct a substance abuse and mental health evaluation of the defendant. The expert shall submit a report of the evaluation to the court and parties. The evaluation may be based on an interview of the defendant and/or other individuals with relevant knowledge and review of records the expert deems appropriate, such as medical records, criminal history, prior treatment history, and records pertaining to the current offense. If the defendant participates in the interview, neither the defendants interview nor evidence derived from the interview may be used against the defendant at any subsequent trial for the instant offense except for the purposes of impeachment should the defendant testify inconsistently. The evaluation shall detail the defendants drug abuse and/or mental health issues, if any, so the court and parties may better determine appropriate handling of the defendants case. (iii) Concurrent with the order for a substance abuse and mental health evaluation of the defendant, and with the defendants consent, the court shall also order that a case worker or other qualified individual determine whether the defendant is eligible to receive Medi-Cal, Medicare, or any other relevant benefits for any programs or evaluations under this section. If the defendant did not previously consent to an eligibility determination at arraignment, the court shall order the eligibility determination upon and as a condition of the defendants agreement to participate in and complete a treatment program as described in this subdivision. (2) A treatment program may include, but is not limited to, drug treatment, mental health treatment, job training, and any other conditions related to treatment or a successful outcome for the defendant that the court finds appropriate. The court must hold regular hearings to review the progress of the defendant. The court shall make referrals to programs that provide services at no cost to the participant and have been deemed by the court, the drug addiction expert, and 9 the parties to be credible and effective. A defendant may also choose to pay for a program that is approved by the court. (3) Upon the defendant's successful completion of the treatment program as specified in paragraph (2), the positive recommendation of the treatment program, and the motion of the defendant, prosecuting attorney, the court, or the probation department, the court shall dismiss this charge against the defendant and the provisions of Section 1000. 4 of the Penal Code, as it read on the effective date of this section, shall apply, including the provision that the arrest upon which the defendant was deferred shall be deemed to have never occurred A dismissal based on the successful completion of treatment shall not count as a conviction for any purpose, including for determining punishment pursuant to subdivision (b ). (4) If at any time it appears that the defendant is performing unsatisfactorily in the program, is not benefiting.from treatment, is not amenable to treatment, has refused treatment, or has been convicted of a crime that was committed since starting treatment, the prosecuting attorney, the court on its own, or the probation department may make a motion for entry of judgment and sentencing. After notice to the defendant, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether judgment should be entered and the defendant sentenced Judgment shall be imposed and the defendant sentenced if the court finds true one or more of the foregoing circumstances. However, except when the defendant has been found to have been convicted of a crime that was committed since starting treatment, the court may re-refer the defendant to treatment if the court finds that it is in the interest of justice to do so, that the defendant is currently amenable to treatment, and if the defendant agrees to participate in, and complete, a treatment program as described in this section. (5) For time spent in residential treatment, a defendant may earn only actual credits pursuant to Section 2900.5 of the Penal Code and shall not earn conduct credits pursuant to Section 4019 of the Penal Code or any other provision. Time spent in any other type of program or counseling is not eligible for any credits. (e) (I) Except as provided in paragraph (2), as used in this section, "hard drug" means a substance listed in Sections 11054 or 11055, including a substance containingfentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, or phencyclidine, and the analogs of any of these substances as defined in Sections 11400 and 11401. (2) As used in this section ''hard drug" does not include cannabis, cannabis products, peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or other psychedelic drugs such as mescaline and psilocybin (mushrooms), or any other substance listed in subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 11054, or, with the exception of methamphetamine, any other substance listed in subdivision ( d) of Section 11055. (I) Upon an arrest for a violation of this section, the court shall require judicial review prior to release to make an individualized determination of risk to public safety and likelihood to return to court. 10 (g) This section shall not be construed to preclude prosecution or punishment pursuant to any other law. SECTION 8. Section 490.3 is added to the Penal Code to read: 490. 3. Notwithstanding any other law, in any case involving one or more acts of theft or shoplifting, including but not limited to, violations of Sections 459.5, 484, 488, and 490.2, the value of property or merchandise stolen may be aggregated into a single count or charge, with the sum of the value of all property or merchandise being the values considered in determining the degree of theft. SECTION 9. Section 666.1 is added to the Penal Code to read: 666.1. (a)(]) Norn.Jithstanding any other law, a person who has two or more prior convictions for any of the offenses listed in paragraph (2), and who is convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. A second or subsequent conviction of this section is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year or by imprisonment in the state prison. (2) This section applies to the following offenses, including a conviction that occurred before the effective date of this section: (A) Petty theft, as described in Section 488 or 490.2. (B) Grand theft, as described in Section 487, 487h, and in Chapter 5 of Title 13 of Part 1 of the Penal Code (commencing with Section 484). (C) Theft from an elder or dependent adult, as described in Section 368. (D) The theft or unauthorized use of a vehicle, as described in Section 10851 of the Vehicle Code. (E) Burglary, as described in Section 459. (F) Ca17·acking, as described in Section 215. (G) Robbery, as described in Section 211. (H) Receiving stolen property, as described in Section 496. (I) Shoplifting, as described in Section 459.5. 11 (J) Identity theft and mail theft, as described in Section 530.5. (b) A person subject to charging under this section or actually charged with this section may be referred by a prosecuting attorney's office or by a county probation department to a theft diversion or deferred entry ofjudgment program pursuant to Section 1001.81. lf appropriate, a person admitted to such a program may also be referred to a substance abuse treatment program. (c) Upon an arrest for a violation of this section, the court shall require judicial review prior to release to make an individualized determination of risk to public safety and likelihood to return to court. (d}This section shall not be construed to preclude prosecution or punishment pursuant to any other law. SECTION 10. Section 12022 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 12022. (a) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), a person who is armed with a firearm in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for one year, unless the arming is an element of that offense. This additional term shall apply to a person who is a principal in the commission of a felony or attempted felony if one or more of the principals is armed with a firearm, whether or not the person is personally armed with a firearm. (2) Except as provided in subdivision (c), and notwithstanding subdivision (d), if the firearm is an assault weapon, as defined in Section 30510 or 30515, or a machinegun, as defined in Section 16880, or a .50 BMG rifle, as defined in Section 30530, the additional and consecutive term described in this subdivision shall be three years imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 whether or not the arming is an element of the offense of which the person was convicted. The additional term provided in this paragraph shall apply to any person who is a principal in the commission of a felony or attempted felony if one or more of the principals is armed with an assault weapon, machinegun, or a .50 BMG rifle, whether or not the person is personally armed with an assault weapon, machinegun, or a .50 BMG rifle. (b) (1) A person who personally uses a deadly or dangerous weapon in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for one year, unless use of a deadly or dangerous weapon is an element of that offense. (2) If the person described in paragraph (1) has been convicted of carjacking or attempted carjacking, the additional term shall be in the state prison for one, two, or three years. (3) When a person is found to have personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon in the commission of a felony or attempted felony as provided in this subdivision and the weapon is 12 owned by that person, the court shall order that the weapon be deemed a nuisance and disposed of in the manner provided in Sections 18000 and 18005. (c) ill Notwithstanding the enhancement set forth in subdivision (a), a person who is personally armed with a firearm in the commission of a violation or attempted violation of Section 11351, 11351.5, 11352, 11366.5, 11366.6, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, 11379.5, or 11379.6 of the Health and Safety Code shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for three, four, or five years. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (9) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code. a defendant convicted of an underlying violation specified in this subdivision who admits an enhancement pursuant to this subdivision or for whom an enhancement pursuant to this subdivision is found true, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison and not pursuant to subdivision (h) ofSection 1170 ofthe Penal Code. (d) Notwithstanding the enhancement set forth in subdivision (a), a person who is not personally armed with a firearm who, knowing that another principal is personally armed with a firearm, is a principal in the commission of an offense or attempted offense specified in subdivision ( c ), shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for one, two, or three years. ( e) For purposes of imposing an enhancement under Section 1170.1, the enhancements under this section shall count as a single enhancement. (t) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may strike the additional punishment for the enhancements provided in subdivision ( c) or ( d) in an unusual case where the interests of justice would best be served, if the court specifies on the record and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating that the interests of justice would best be served by that disposition. SECTION 11. Section 12022.6 is added to the Penal Code to read: 12022. 6. (a) When any person takes, damages, or destroys any property in the commission or attempted commission of a felony, or commits a felony violation of Section 496, the court shall impose a term in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony or attempted felony of which the defendant has been convicted, as follows: (1) Jfthe loss or property value exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), the court shall impose an additional term of one year. (2) If the loss or property value exceeds two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), the court shall impose an additional term of two years. (3) If the loss or property value exceeds one million dollars ($1,000,000), the court shall impose an additional term of three years. 13 (4) If the loss or property value exceeds three million dollars ($3,000,000), the court shall impose an additional term of four years. (5) For every additional loss or property value of three million dollars ($3,000,000), the court shall impose a term of one year in addition to the term specified in paragraph (4). (b) In any accusatory pleading involving multiple charges of taking, damage, or destruction, or multiple violations of Section 4 96, the additional terms provided in this section may be imposed if the aggregate losses to the victims or aggregate property values from all felonies exceed the amounts specified in this section and arise from a common scheme or plan. All pleadings under this section shall remain subject to the rules of joinder and severance stated in Section 954. (c) The additional terms provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the facts relating to the amounts provided in this section are charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. ( d) Notwithstanding any other law, the court may impose an enhancement pursuant to this section and another section on a single count, including an enhancement pursuant to Section 12022.65. SECTION 12. Section 12022.65 is added to the Penal Code to read: 12022. 65. (a) Any person who acts in concert with two or more persons to take, attempt to take, damage, or destroy any property, in the commission or attempted commission of a felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment of one, two, or three years. (b) The additional term provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the existence of the facts required in subdivision (a) are charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the court may impose an enhancement pursuant to this section and another section on a single count, including an enhancement pursuant to Section 12022. 6. SECTION 13. Section 12022.7 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 12022.7. (a) Any person who personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person other than an accomplice in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for three years. (b) Any person who personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person other than an accomplice in the commission of a felony or attempted felony which causes the victim to 14 become comatose due to brain injury or to suffer paralysis of a permanent nature shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for five years. As used in this subdivision, "paralysis" means a major or complete loss of motor function resulting from injury to the nervous system or to a muscular mechanism. ( c) Any person who personally inflicts great bodily injury on a person who is 70 years of age or older, other than an accomplice, in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for five years. ( d) Any person who personally inflicts great bodily injury on a child under the age of five years in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for four, five, or six years. ( e) Any person who personally inflicts great bodily injury under circumstances involving domestic violence in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for three, four, or five years. As used in this subdivision, "domestic violence" has the meaning provided in subdivision (b) of Section 13700. (f) ill As used in this section, "great bodily injury" means a significant or substantial physical lllJUry. (2) As used in this section. a person who sells. furnishes. administers. or gives away a controlled substance is deemed to have personally inflicted great bodily in;ury when the person to whom the substance was sold. furnished. administered. or given suffers a significant or substantial physical in;ury ftom using the substance. (g) This section shall not apply to murder or manslaughter or a violation of Section 451 or 452. Subdivisions (a), (b ), ( c ), and ( d) shall not apply if infliction of great bodily injury is an element of the offense. (h) The court shall impose the additional terms of imprisonment under ei-thef subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d), but may not impose more than one of those terms for the same offense. SECTION 14. Chapter 36 (commencing with Section 7599.200) is added to Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, to read: 7599.200. (a) This section shall be known as "Fundingfor the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. " 15 (b) From monies disbursed to the Board of State and Community Corrections pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 7599.2 of the Government Code and Section 6046.2 of the Penal Code, the Board of State and Community Corrections may allocate appropriate funds to counties and local governments for programs specified in Section 11395 of the Health and Safety Code. This provision shall not preclude funding for this Act from any other source, including but not limited to the Local Revenue Fund 2011 established under Government Code Section 30025 and other such funds designated for substance abuse and mental health treatment. (c) A defendant charged with a treatment-mandated felony is eligible for any appropriate Medi- Cal or Medicare programs or services, including but not limited to those described in Government Code Section 30025 (f)(l 6)(B)(iii)-(v ), for the defendant's programs specified in Section 113 9 5 of the Health and Safety Code. A county or local government may contract directly with the State Department of Healthcare Services or any other applicable State agency to provide for the provision or administration of any applicable Medi-Cal or Medicare treatment programs. SECTION 15. Amendments (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), this Act shall not be amended by the Legislature except by a statute that furthers the purposes, intent, findings, and declarations of the Act and is passed in each house by roll call vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, or by a statute that becomes effective only when approved by the voters. (b) The Legislature may, by majority vote, amend Section 11369 of the Health & Safety Code only to expand the list of drugs that qualify as a "hard drug" and to expand the list of convictions to which it applies, and may, by majority vote, amend Section 11395 of the Health & Safety Code only to expand the list of drugs that qualify as a "hard drug" and to expand the list of applicable prior convictions , and may, by majority vote, amend Section 666.1 of the Penal Code only to expand the list of applicable prior convictions. SECTION 16. Severability If any provision of this Act, or any part of any provision, or the application of any provision or part to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions and applications of provisions shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable. SECTION 17. Conflicting Initiatives (a) This Act creates a new drug treatment statute and changes the penalties for career and serial thieves. In the event that this Act and another initiative measure or measures relating to the same subject appear on the same statewide ballot, the provisions of the other measure or measures 16 shall be deemed to be in conflict with this measure. In the event this measure receives a greater number of affirmative votes than a measure deemed to be in conflict with it, the provisions of this measure shall prevail in their entirety, and the provisions of the other measure or measures shall be null and void. (b) If this measure is approved by voters but superseded by law by any other conflicting measure approved by the voters at the same election, and the conflicting ballot measure is later held invalid, this measure shall be self-executing and given full force and effect. 17