Update on Prop 36: District Attorneys Call for Stable State Funding
Nearly one year after Proposition 36 took effect in California, district attorneys across the state are urging lawmakers to provide long-term funding to ensure the measure delivers on its promises.
This matters to our members because Prop 36 was designed to address property crime and drug-related offenses—issues that directly impact commercial buildings, tenants, and the safety of our business districts.
What You Need to Know
Proposition 36 strengthened laws related to property and drug crimes while expanding access to treatment programs for nonviolent offenders struggling with addiction, offering an alternative to jail when appropriate.
The measure gives prosecutors greater discretion to direct individuals into treatment while still holding repeat and professional criminals accountable.
Recently, district attorneys and supporters gathered in Sacramento to highlight progress made under Prop 36—and to raise concerns about a major challenge: funding.
State lawmakers previously estimated that fully implementing Prop 36 would require more than $600 million annually.
However, the state has so far approved only a one-time $100 million allocation, leaving counties unable to build and sustain reliable treatment programs.
Counties say they cannot rely on short-term grants to support the treatment infrastructure Prop 36 depends on, and without dependable state funding, the program’s long-term success is at risk.
How It Impacts You
For commercial real estate professionals, the effectiveness of Prop 36 is closely tied to improvements in public safety, reductions in repeat property crime, and healthier, more stable communities around your buildings.
When treatment programs are adequately funded, individuals struggling with addiction are more likely to receive help—reducing cycles of crime that affect retail centers, office buildings, and mixed-use properties.
Without consistent funding, however, counties may be forced to limit or scale back treatment options, weakening one of the core components of Prop 36.
That could mean fewer tools to address the root causes of property crime and continued strain on local law enforcement and courts—conditions that ultimately affect building operations, tenant satisfaction, and security costs.
Stay Connected
BOMA/GLA will continue advocating for the success of Prop 36, closely monitor developments in Sacramento, and push for policies that enhance safety and protect California’s commercial real estate community.
Follow BOMA on the Frontline for continued updates on Prop 36 and other policy issues impacting our members.
