In the waning hours of the 2025 legislative session, California Democrats tried to undermine Proposition 36, although their first attempt in the Legislature fell short.

Last week the California Assembly voted down Assembly Bill 1231, which would have authorized courts to grant pretrial diversion for certain felony exceptions.

The backstory: Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 36 last year, supporting it by over 68%. • Prop. 36 rolled back parts of Proposition 47 by making it a felony for repeat shoplifters who have at least two convictions of stealing up to $950 in value. • Prop. 36 also allowed people who have been convicted of possession of illegal drugs to be charged with a treatment-mandated felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Driving the news: AB 1231 was introduced by Asm. Sade

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