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Panel advances bill to fund security upgrades for small retailers hit by theft
Summary
AB 949 would create a Small Business Retail Theft Solutions Grant Program to help small retailers install security equipment and other measures to reduce retail theft; the subcommittee advanced the bill to Appropriations, 8-0.
Assemblymember Schiavo presented AB 949, proposing a Small Business Retail Theft Solutions Grant Program within the Office of the Small Business Advocate to provide grants for security enhancements aimed at preventing retail theft.
Schiavo said small stores and sole proprietors can experience repeated thefts and lack the resources larger chains use to prevent losses. "A couple thousand dollars can make a huge difference in you being able to make critical changes to protect your business," she said, describing improvements such as higher-quality cameras and layout changes that witnesses told her reduce theft.
Dr. Armand Aga Khanian, a small-business leader and former chamber president, told the committee small businesses often lack capacity to buy technology or to evaluate vendors. Advocates and trade associations — including Small Business Majority, California Retailers Association and the LA Police Protective League — testified in support.
Vice Chair Castillo said she would not vote for the bill because she was concerned it would not address root causes of crime; other members said the bill targets pragmatic prevention and recovery tools. The committee voted to pass AB 949 to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, and the measure was left on call for further fiscal review.
Supporters said the program would educate small-business owners about effective technology and provide grants to fund upgrades. Opponents were not recorded at the hearing, although one member signaled policy concerns about broader criminal-justice context.
