As unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, become more popular among hobbyists, California lawmakers are pushing measures that will restrict their flight over wildfires, prisons, schools and private property.
SB 168 by Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, which aims to prevent drones from interfering with emergency response efforts, passed out of the Senate on Monday. The legislation will punish those who fly near wildfires and grant immunity to responders who destroy unmanned aircraft during rescue operations.
"To think that someone would interfere with firefighting or emergency response situations to get a sneak peek or to post a drone video on YouTube is an outrage that is deserving of punishment and condemnation," said Gaines in a statement.
Other drone-related measures making their way through the legislative process include:
SB 170 by Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, makes it a misdemeanor to operate an unmanned aircraft above a state prison in California. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 142 by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) prohibits drones from trespassing on private property without the owner’s permission has passed the legislature and currently awaits action by the governor.
SB 271 by Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, makes it an infraction to operate an unmanned aircraft less than 350 feet above a public school during school hours. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Measures that have stalled include:
AB 14 by Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, would create a 10 member Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force to research, develop and formulate a comprehensive policy for drones. The measure failed passage earlier this year.
SB 262 by Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, would prohibit a law enforcement agency from using an unmanned vehicle to conduct surveillance on private property without a search warrant. The bill’s first policy hearing was cancelled in May at the request of the author.
