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Senate Judiciary Committee advances bill raising theft penalties, lowering repeat-offense threshold
Summary
The committee moved Senate File 7, which raises misdemeanor maxima and lowers the repeat-offense threshold that converts repeated thefts into a felony from five offenses to three; business groups and law enforcement testified in favor, while prosecutors offered limited statewide data on projected felony counts.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday moved Senate File 7, a committee bill that increases misdemeanor penalties for many thefts and reduces the number of prior offenses required to charge a felony from five to three. Committee chair Olsen said the bill raises the misdemeanor jail term to up to one year and increases the fine cap to $1,500 for property valued under $1,000; the bill is effective July 1, 2026.
Business groups and law enforcement told the committee the changes respond to growing retail theft and organized theft…
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