Vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that classifies the possession of a narcotic as a misdemeanor.

Highlights:

• Limits the penalty for an individual found unlawfully possessing certain controlled substances to no more than 1 year of imprisonment in the county jail (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the presiding judge to assess against an individual a fine not to exceed $70, in addition to any punishment provided under the condition that the court takes into consideration the defendant’s ability to pay (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a court from denying probation to an individual who is unable to pay the fine permitted by this act (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a court to grant probation pursuant to a felony conviction with the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• For the first offense, a fine of at least $1000 or community service;
• For the second offence and thereafter, a fine of at least $2000 or community service; or
• For each of the offenses, community service in lieu of a fine if the individual does not have the ability to pay the minimum fine specified. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that classifies certain drug infractions as misdemeanors.

Highlights:

• Limits the penalty for an individual found unlawfully possessing certain controlled substances to no more than 1 year of imprisonment in the county jail (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the presiding judge to assess against an individual a fine not to exceed $70, in addition to any punishment provided under the condition that the court takes into consideration the defendant’s ability to pay (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a court from denying probation to an individual who is unable to pay the fine permitted by this act (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a court to grant probation pursuant to a felony conviction with the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• For the first offense, a fine of at least $1000 or community service;
• For the second offence and thereafter, a fine of at least $2000 or community service; or
• For each of the offenses, community service in lieu of a fine if the individual does not have the ability to pay the minimum fine specified. 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that classifies certain drug infractions as misdemeanors.

Highlights:

• Classifies the possession of a narcotic as a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 1 year in a county jail, whereas existing law classifies the possession of a narcotic as a felony punishable by no more than 3 years in a county jail (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text