Initiative to amend Prop. 47 submits signatures to state

California voters will likely have an opportunity to amend Proposition 47 in November to crack down on the state’s rampant retail theft and drug crisis. 

The coalition backing the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act announced Thursday that it submitted hundreds of thousands of signatures more than required to the state to appear on the November ballot. 

The backstory: Voters passed Proposition 47 in 2014, which reclassified most drug offenses and property thefts valued under $950 to misdemeanors. 

The big picture: The Californians for Safer Communities Coalition submitted over 900,000 signatures to qualify the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act for the November ballot. 

• The group needs 546,651 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. 

Driving the news: The initiative would repeal part of Proposition 47 to allow felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950 for people who have two prior drug or two prior theft convictions. 

• Defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment can have their charges dismissed. 
• The act would also ramp up punishments for fentanyl possession for people who also are armed with a loaded firearm and those who sell the drug in large quantities. 

What they’re saying: Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp has been an ardent supporter of the initiative and thanked county residents for supporting it. 

• “This bi-partisan movement to amend Prop 47 and begin to restore accountability to thieves and illegal drug abusers is just the beginning of what needs to be done to restore law and order to the state of California,” Smittcamp said in a statement. “The overwhelming number of people who eagerly lined up to sign these petitions are speaking to the legislators in Sacramento to tell them they are not satisfied with their soft on crime policies and that they want repeat offenders to be held accountable by police, prosecutors and judges. We are moving with great momentum to the November ballot where Californians will have their chance to vote for change.”