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SB-265 • 2026

Crimes: looting.

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 official source does not provide information about the state covering extra costs for local agencies.

Making Looting a Felony

The bill changes the punishment for looting from being punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony to only being punishable as a felony.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines second-degree burglary that happens during an emergency in an affected county as looting.
  • Changes looting from being punishable by up to one year in jail or as a felony to only being punishable as a felony.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit looting during emergencies
  • Local law enforcement and courts dealing with looters

Terms To Know

Burglary
Breaking into a place to steal or commit another crime.
Looting
Stealing during an emergency, like a natural disaster.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the bill is signed by the governor.
  • The full text of the bill is needed for more details on how it will be enforced.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-04-16 California Legislative Information

    April 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 22.

  4. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  5. 2025-02-04 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.

  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