CA AB1779

Amends Section 786.5 of the Penal Code to expand jurisdiction for theft and related crimes beyond cases brought solely by the Attorney General.

Allows prosecution of theft, organized retail theft (Section 490.4), and receiving stolen property (Section 496) in any county where the offense occurred, merchandise was recovered, or defendant committed relevant acts.

Permits charges in any jurisdiction when the same defendant commits multiple theft offenses across multiple counties involving the same merchandise or substantially similar schemes.

Requires a hearing under Section 954 when cases are brought by prosecutors other than the Attorney General, with prosecution needing written agreement from all affected district attorneys to proceed with multi-county charges.

Mandates that charged offenses from jurisdictions without written district attorney agreement be returned to their original jurisdiction.