Major bail reform plan stalls
Overhaul measure fails to make it out of the Assembly, facing industry opposition and cost concerns.
SACRAMENTO — An ambitious plan to overhaul California’s bail system stalled in the Assembly late Thursday, facing steep opposition from industry lobbyists and lawmakers concerned about the high costs it could impose on counties.
The bill by Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) was the last proposal to be reconsidered for a vote and failed to make it out of the chamber near 11 p.m., with 36 lawmakers in favor and 37 opposed.
The result spells challenges ahead for an identical version of the proposal sponsored by state Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys). That bill is now before the Assembly after it was approved in the Senate this week on a 25-11 vote.
The proposals seek to ensure that offenders awaiting trial are not incarcerated solely because they cannot afford to pay their bail. They would end the use of money bail schedules, or fixed fee systems, and require counties to establish pretrial services agencies to weigh whether defendants are fit for release.
On the Assembly floor Thursday, Bonta said he was committed to working with counties, law enforcement and victims and planned to add at least four amendments to his bill, including ensuring that criminal history remained a factor of consideration for release.
He also said he was willing to make it a two-year bill.
“Colleagues, our system is broken,” he said. “I haven’t talked to any of you who have disagreed.”
Opponents argued that the bill was too soft on crime, plagued with implementation issues and would pass on unfunded liabilities to counties.
“This bill is clearly not a remedy for something that needs reform,” Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) said. “It is a dismantling.”
Supporters agreed it wasn’t perfect but urged members not to wait to address a system that they said preys on poor families and fuels economic and racial disparities.
“It is theft on the poor people in our community,” Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) said. “It is shocking and wrong, and it is time that we do something.”