California 2015-2016 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 262 — Unmanned aircraft systems: law enforcement use.

Last action — Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, provides for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, into the national airspace system by September 30, 2015. Existing federal law requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop and implement operational and certification requirements for the operation of public unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system by December 31, 2015. Existing state law generally regulates the use of surveillance technology by a law enforcement agency. This bill would specifically authorize a law enforcement agency to use an unmanned aircraft system if the use of the unmanned aircraft system complies with certain conditions, including, among others, protections against unreasonable searches guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the California Constitution, federal law applicable to the use of an unmanned aircraft system by a law enforcement agency, and state law applicable to a law enforcement agency's use of surveillance technology that can be attached to an unmanned aircraft system. The bill would prohibit a law enforcement agency from using an unmanned aircraft system to conduct surveillance of private property unless the law enforcement agency has obtained a search warrant, the person or entity with the legal authority to grant access to the private property grants the law enforcement agency permission to access the property, or an exigent circumstance exists. The bill would define law enforcement agency and unmanned aircraft system for these purposes. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. May 12 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. Set for hearing May 12.

  4. May 5 hearing postponed by committee.

  5. Set for hearing May 5.

  6. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  7. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 594.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  8. Set for hearing April 14.

  9. Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

  10. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.

  11. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

  • Anderson · Cosponsor
  • Galgiani · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Galgiani

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Anderson

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

Subjects

public-safety technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 262 do?
Existing federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, provides for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, into the national airspace system by September 30, 2015. Existing federal law requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop and implement operational and certification requirements for the operation of public unmanned aircraft systems in the national airspace system by December 31, 2015. Existing state law generally regulates the use of surveillance technology by a law enforcement agency. This bill would specifically authorize a law enforcement agency to use an unmanned aircraft system if the use of the unmanned aircraft system complies with certain conditions, including, among others, protections against unreasonable searches guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the California Constitution, federal law applicable to the use of an unmanned aircraft system by a law enforcement agency, and state law applicable to a law enforcement agency's use of surveillance technology that can be attached to an unmanned aircraft system. The bill would prohibit a law enforcement agency from using an unmanned aircraft system to conduct surveillance of private property unless the law enforcement agency has obtained a search warrant, the person or entity with the legal authority to grant access to the private property grants the law enforcement agency permission to access the property, or an exigent circumstance exists. The bill would define law enforcement agency and unmanned aircraft system for these purposes. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
Who sponsors SB 262?
SB 262 is sponsored by Anderson and Galgiani.
What is the current status of SB 262?
This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 262?
Track SB 262 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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