The 2026-27 Budget: Estimated State Savings From Proposition 47

Feb 23, 2026 - Some of these changes allow people who possess drugs or steal property worth $950 or less to be charged with felonies instead of misdemeanors in particular circumstances, such as if they have certain prior convictions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5108

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - The crime involves possessing more than $950 worth of stolen property with the intent to sell that property. For the purposes of determining if the $950 threshold has been met, the law allows the dollar value of multiple acts of possessing stolen property within a two ‑year period to be aggregated.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

^[PDF] Overview of State Law Related to Retail Crime

Misdemeanora punishable by up to one year in county jail if it involves property worth $950 or less. Wobbler punishable by up to three years in state prison or county jail if it involves property worth more than $950.
https://lao.ca.gov/handouts/crimjust/2023/Retail-Crime-Overview-121923.pdf

2001 Initiative Analysis: Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Buses Act (Version 1)

The amount is projected to be ap proximately $460  million in 2002-03, and about $950  million in 2003-04, increasing annually thereafter, depending on the increase in the sale and leasing of motor vehicles.
https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2001/011017_INT.htm

^[PDF] Use of sales tax revenues derived from the lease and sale of motor vehicles for transportation purposes

The amount is projected to be approximately $460 million in 2002-03, and about $950 million in 2003-04, increasing annually thereafter, depending on the increase in the sale and leasing of motor vehicles.
https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2001/011017_INT.pdf

^[PDF] The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act

Under current law, shoplifting property under $950 is generally a misdemeanor crime. However, such crimes can also be charged as burglary, which is a felony. Under this measure, shoplifting property under $950 would become a mandatory misdemeanor and could not be charged as burglary.  Receiving Stolen Property.
https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2013/130764.pdf

2013 Initiative Analysis: The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act

Under current law, shoplifting property under $950 is generally a misdemeanor crime. However, such crimes can also be charged as burglary, which is a felony. Under this measure, shoplifting property under $950 would become a mandatory misdemeanor and could not be charged as burglary.
https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2013/130764.aspx

Proposition 36 [Ballot]

Nov 5, 2024 - For example, shoplifting (stealing items worth $950 or less from a store) and drug possession generally became misdemeanors. Proposal Proposition  36 makes several key changes related to punishments for theft and drug crimes.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=36&year=2024

Proposition 20 [Ballot]

Nov 3, 2020 - For example, under current law, theft of all property worth less than $950 from a store is generally required to be punished as a misdemeanor. Under Proposition  20, people who steal property worth less than $950 that is not for sale (such as a cash register) from a store could receive felony sentences.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=20&year=2020

The MCO Tax: A Flat Versus Tiered Structure

Jul 20, 2015 - By our rough estimates, this flat structure would create a net industrywide liability of over $950 million for MCOs. In particular, the state ’s three largest MCOs would owe substantially more tax under a flat structure.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3292