Gov. Brown on Saturday vetoed three bills aimed to increase public safety by criminalizing the flying of unmanned aircraft near wildfires and over prisons and schools. The bills were among a number of proposals introduced this year as drone flying has increased in popularity, along with reports of hobbyists interferring with emergency response efforts.
The bills were SB 168 by Sen. Ted Gaines, R-El Dorado, that would have increased penalties to up to $5,000 in fines and up to six months in jail for anyone convicted of flying a drone near a wildfire, SB 170 by Sen. Gaines that would have made it a misdemeanor to fly a drone over a state prison in California; and SB 271 by Sen. Gaines would have made it an infraction to operate a drone less than 350 feet above a public school during school hours.
In his veto message Brown said the criminal code is overly complex and such activities are already illegal.
Last month Brown vetoed SB 142 by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara that would have banned drones from flying over private property less than 350 off the ground.
