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SB 1266 (Stern) / Valuation / Stolen Copper Wire / Comprehensive Cost / 2025-2026 Legislative Program

Council File 25-0002-S99

Under review — the city council passed a resolution backing state legislation to make copper wire theft easier to prosecute as a felony, but it's waiting for committee sign-off before the city formally adds it to its state advocacy priorities.

Introduced
2026-04-15
Last changed
2026-06-11
Status
open
Expires
2028-04-15
Committee
Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Mover
ADRIN NAZARIAN
Second
JOHN S. LEE

Brief

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian introduced this resolution in support of SB 1266 (State Senator Stern), a state bill that would raise the valuation threshold for felony prosecution of stolen copper wire theft to account for the full cost of replacement and repair. The resolution is part of the City's 2025-2026 legislative program. It remains pending in the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, with recent community impact statements filed by Westside Neighborhood Council in May and June 2026.

Full summary

SB 1266 addresses the undervaluation problem in prosecuting copper wire theft. Current law calculates the value of stolen copper based primarily on scrap metal prices, which are typically much lower than the comprehensive cost of replacing wiring, repairing damage, and addressing service interruptions caused by theft. By raising the felony threshold to reflect true replacement and repair costs, the bill aims to enable prosecutors to charge theft of copper wire as a felony more frequently, thereby increasing penalties and deterrence. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, seconded by Councilmember John S. Lee, moved this resolution to express the City Council's support for the state legislation as part of the 2025-2026 legislative advocacy program. The resolution positions the City behind the state bill's effort to combat copper wire theft, which has become a persistent problem in Los Angeles and other jurisdictions, often targeting infrastructure that serves low-income neighborhoods. The resolution was referred to the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on April 15, 2026, and remains pending there. The Westside Neighborhood Council submitted community impact statements on May 14 and June 11, 2026, indicating community engagement with the issue. No further action by Council has been recorded as of the last activity date.

Activity (3)

  • 2026-06-11 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-05-14 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-04-15 Resolution referred to Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

Documents (3)

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