Crimes: looting.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Valladares
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify the exact penalties for looting before or after implementation.

Making Looting a Felony

The bill changes the punishment for looting from either imprisonment in county jail or as a felony to only as a felony.

What This Bill Does

Defines looting as second-degree burglary during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency.
Changes the punishment for looting from either imprisonment in county jail for one year or as a felony to only as a felony.
Provides that no reimbursement is required by this act for certain costs mandated by the state.

Who It Names or Affects

People who commit second-degree burglary during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency will face more severe punishment.
Local agencies and school districts are not required to receive state reimbursement for costs related to this change.

Terms To Know

Burglary: The act of entering specified buildings, places, or vehicles with the intent to commit grand or petty theft or a felony.
Looting: Second-degree burglary during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency, punishable as a felony under this bill.

Limits and Unknowns

The exact penalties for looting before the bill's implementation are not detailed.
It does not specify which counties will be considered 'affected' by emergencies.
Does not provide details on how local agencies and school districts manage costs without state reimbursement.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2025-04-16 California Legislative Information
April 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 22.
2025-02-14 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-02-04 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.
2025-02-03 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 265, as introduced, Valladares.
Crimes: looting.
Existing law defines the crime of burglary, which consists of entering specified buildings, places, or vehicles with the intent to commit grand or petty theft or a felony. Existing law defines burglary of the first degree as any burglary of an inhabited building and makes burglary of the first degree punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2, 4, or 6 years. Existing law defines all other burglary as burglary of the 2nd degree and makes it punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for one year or as a felony.
Existing law defines any 2nd degree burglary during and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency, as specified, as looting, punishable by either imprisonment in a county jail for one year or as a felony.
This bill would make that crime punishable instead as a
felony. By increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF