The recent Los Santos Committee Hearing underscored the necessity for stringent policies to combat illegal fishing and street racing. The robust debate demonstrated a clear divide between proponents of strict enforcement and those advocating for leniency under the guise of fairness. Ultimately, both policies were approved with strong support, reflecting a unified stance on maintaining law and order. 

Debate Highlights: 

The meeting brought together policymakers, community leaders, and concerned citizens to discuss measures aimed at stopping illegal fishing and addressing rampant street racing. The debate was intense, reflecting the urgency of these issues and the need for decisive action. 

illegal Fishing: 

Discussions on illegal fishing quickly became contentious. One side advocated for maximizing fishing potential for large companies, emphasizing both the economic benefits and environmental concerns. Critics, however, accused these efforts of being part of a "woke agenda" focused on protecting fish populations at the cost of economic growth. Small business owners expressed worries about increased fishing fees, which could further strain their businesses. 

The fishing bill (S.B. 156 - Wildlife and Conservation Act Amendments of April 2024) aims to maximize fishing potential for large companies while stifling small business owners with fees to register all fishing boats. This approach, seen as anti-capitalist and contrary to the American dream, was made more palatable by framing it as a measure to protect fish populations at the expense of economic growth. Despite the heated debates, the fishing bill faced no objections and was passed unanimously. 

  
Streets Act – Law & Order: 

The focal point of the meeting was the Streets Act, designed to crack down on illegal street racing. The proposed law includes measures to seize and auction off vehicles of repeat offenders, with funds raised going back to the city. The Repeat Offender Database (ROD) is a cornerstone of this initiative, pioneered by Senator Ava Thompson, aimed at deterring habitual offenders.  

Senator Michelle Tran kicked off the debate by emphasizing the need to demotivate illegal street racing and crack down on repeat offenders. She highlighted the daily occurrence of street takeovers, illegal clubs disturbing the peace, and highly modified vehicles engaging in dangerous activities like drifting and street racing. Tran argued that these activities not only endanger the offenders but also put the public's safety at risk, particularly in areas like Little Seoul. 

Senator David Peralta, despite arriving late, voiced his concerns about the amendments. He pointed out that section two of the bill was missing a timeframe for repeat offenders to appeal any action taken against them. Peralta stressed the importance of a codified waiting period to avoid vehicles being sold immediately without an appeal process. He also disagreed with the idea of punishing individuals by seizing and auctioning their vehicles if they had loaned them to a friend or family member. 

Senator Ava Thompson responded by clarifying that the repeated offender clauses refer to the original Streets Act, which should have provided any necessary timeframes. She asserted that the database would have sufficient evidence to justify vehicle seizures, aiming to avoid arbitrary penalties. 

 
Amendments to the Streets Act: 

The Streets Act underwent significant amendments during the meeting: 

• Permanent Vehicle Seizures: The amendments allow law enforcement to permanently seize vehicles of repeat offenders who violate specified traffic regulations three times or more. This includes offenses like evading a police officer and participating in motor vehicle contests. Seized vehicles will be auctioned off to the public. 

• Repeat Offender Database (ROD): A new database will be established to track repeat offenders of traffic regulations. This database, abbreviated as the ROD, will include details of seized vehicles and licenses that have been suspended or revoked. 

Senator Ava Thompson clarified that these amendments are crucial for enforcing stricter penalties against repeat offenders, aiming to deter illegal street racing effectively. 

Senator Adrian Rossi's proposal to introduce a 30-day delay before auctioning seized vehicles was accepted to provide an appeal period for affected individuals. With the amendments accepted and debated, Senators Ava Thompson and David Peralta voted in favor of the bill. The chair also voted affirmatively, resulting in unanimous approval. The bill now moves forward to the president's docket for full Senate consideration. 

Conclusion: 

The Los Santos Committee hearing highlighted the necessity for firm policies to combat illegal activities. Both the illegal fishing policy and the amended Streets Act received unanimous approval, reflecting a strong commitment to maintaining law and order. The swift passage of these bills demonstrates that when it comes to safeguarding the community and the environment, decisive action is not just necessary, but also widely supported. 

Written by,

Gabriella Marroni
Freelance Reporter