Initiative to Repeal Prop. 47

New Initiative To Reverse Prop 47

 A new initiative to reverse California’s Proposition 47 has gathered more than 300,000 signatures and is on pace to qualify for the November election, Congressman Kevin Kiley, R-D3, reported recently. “This would be a huge step towards returning sanity to California,” he said.

 Known as The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, supporters need to collect 546,651 by April 23 to qualify for the November ballot. 

 The initiative would walk back Proposition 47, which was passed by voters in 2014, and classified certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors if the value of the crime did not exceed $950.

 Under this initiative drug possession, including fentanyl, and theft would be classified as felonies if the crimes affect less than $950. Defendants would be charged with felonies only if they have two prior drug or theft convictions.  In addition, defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment can have charges dismissed. 

 The proposed initiative also would allow judges to impose an enhanced penalty on offenders who steal, damage or destroy property with at least two other people or by causing losses of $50,000 or more. Furthermore, it would reinstate penalties for hard drug dealers whose trafficking kills or seriously injures a drug user.

 The initiative’s proponent is Thomas Hiltachk, the managing partner at Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk LLP, a Sacramento law firm.