Crimes: looting.

Assembly Members Gabriel, Irwin, and Pacheco propose comprehensive changes to California's criminal code addressing looting and impersonation of emergency personnel during disasters and evacuations. The legislation redefines looting to include first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, grand theft, trespass, and vehicle theft when committed in evacuation zones.

The bill establishes an "evacuation zone" framework encompassing areas under mandatory evacuation orders or warnings, as well as principal residences undergoing post-disaster reconstruction. It implements heightened penalties for crimes committed within these zones, ranging from county jail terms to state prison sentences based on offense severity. For probation cases, the legislation requires minimum jail confinement periods and allows courts to mandate community service hours.

New provisions specifically target the impersonation of emergency personnel during disasters. The bill makes it a misdemeanor or felony to fraudulently wear or display uniforms, insignia, or credentials of law enforcement, firefighters, military members, or other emergency responders within evacuation zones. Those convicted of looting while impersonating emergency personnel face additional consecutive prison terms of one to three years.

The measure clarifies that structural damage from disasters does not preclude burglary convictions, addressing potential legal defenses based on a building's compromised condition. While creating new crimes and enhancing penalties, the legislation specifies that local agencies will not receive state reimbursement for implementation costs.