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AB-991 • 2026

Sentencing: dismissal of enhancements.

Sentencing: dismissal of enhancements.

Crime Elections Firearms
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Essayli
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide details on what constitutes 'special reasons' for dismissing firearm-related enhancements.

Sentencing: Dismissing Extra Punishments

This law changes how courts can remove extra punishments for crimes involving guns.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows courts to dismiss extra punishments in most cases if it is fair and just.
  • Does not allow courts to dismiss extra punishments related to firearms unless there are special reasons.
  • Gives courts the power to still dismiss firearm-related extra punishments under general rules about dismissing actions.
  • Makes sure that initiative statutes, which are laws passed by voters, can stop courts from removing certain types of extra punishments.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Courts and judges who decide on sentences for crimes
  • People charged with crimes involving firearms

Terms To Know

enhancements
Extra punishments added to a sentence because of the type or circumstances of a crime.
initiative statute
A law passed by voters instead of the state legislature.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what 'special reasons' are for dismissing firearm-related extra punishments.
  • The bill does not say when it will take effect.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-08 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  4. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  5. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  6. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  7. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 991, as introduced, Essayli.
Sentencing: dismissal of enhancements.
Existing law generally authorizes a court to dismiss an action in the furtherance of justice. Existing law requires a court to dismiss an enhancement if it is in the furtherance of justice to do so, except if dismissal of that enhancement is prohibited by any initiative statute.
This bill would make the provision relating to the dismissal of enhancements inapplicable to firearms-related enhancements, but would allow the court to dismiss these firearm-related enhancements pursuant to the court’s general authority to dismiss an action, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF