California Senators have voted in support of reenacting a law that gives police the power to apprehend thieves and accomplices involved in organized retail theft rings. The Senate voted 39-0 in favor of Assembly Bill 331 (AB 331) on July 15 to reenact a law which had expired on July 1. The law includes provisions that criminalize organized retail theft and the authorize the operation of the California Highway Patrol property Crimes Task Force until Jan. 1, 2026. Shoplifting rings have proliferated across the state since California voters approved Proposition 47 which reduced theft crimes under $950 from a felony to a misdemeanor. Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) said on the Senate Floor that Prop. 47 is the real underlying cause of the dramatic increase of organized retail theft. “I support this measure, but I would, I guess, academically remind our members that a very unfortunate proposition—Proposition 47—facilitated and encouraged such …