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Committee advances grant program to help small retailers pay for theft-prevention upgrades
Summary
AB 949 would authorize the Office of the Small Business Advocate to award grants to small retailers for security and theft-prevention measures; the committee voted to send the bill to appropriations after supporters, including small-business representatives and law enforcement, testified.
Assemblymember Schiavo presented AB 949 to authorize a retail-theft grant program within the Office of the Small Business Advocate to help small businesses and sole proprietors install security improvements such as higher-quality cameras and store-layout changes.
Schiavo said small businesses often experience repeated retail theft incidents and lack resources to purchase preventive equipment or training. “A couple thousand dollars can make a huge difference in you being able to make critical changes to protect your business,” she said.
Dr. Armand Aga Khanyan, a small-business leader and former chamber president, testified in support and asked for complementary education and technical assistance so small owners can choose and operate appropriate systems. Representatives of the California Retailers Association, Small Business Majority, the LA Police Protective League and several local chambers also registered support during the hearing.
The committee recorded the motion as due pass to Appropriations; the committee roll-call summary later records the item as passed to Appropriations (committee tally recorded in committee documents).
