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AB 710

Electrical corporations: resiliency planning: microgrid projects.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jacqui Irwin

AB 710 would clarify California law to specifically define and penalize gift card theft as a distinct offense with appropriate criminal penalties.

Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 710

Legislative bill overview

AB 710 addresses the legal treatment of stolen gift cards in California by clarifying theft statutes to specifically cover gift card theft as a distinct offense. The bill was introduced to establish clearer criminal penalties and definitions for individuals who steal gift cards, which had existed in a legal gray area under California's existing theft laws.

Why is this important

Gift card theft has become increasingly common as digital and physical gift cards proliferate, but California courts had inconsistently applied traditional theft statutes to these transactions. Clarifying the law provides retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors with explicit guidance on how to charge and prosecute these crimes, while also giving victims a clearer legal framework for restitution.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Debate over whether the law should cover only physical gift cards, digital codes, or both formats, and how to handle partially-used cards
  • Penalty levels: Disagreement about whether gift card theft should carry the same penalties as cash theft or if amounts/circumstances should create different tiers
  • Enforcement practicality: Concerns about law enforcement resources devoted to typically lower-value thefts versus more serious crimes, and whether retailers adequately report such incidents

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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