Unmanned Aircrafts and Emergency Responders

SB 168 (Gaines) – Support
As Amended August 24, 2015

Senate Bill 168, by Senator Ted Gaines, would increase penalties for drone interference with firefighting activities and provide civil immunity to any emergency responder who damages a drone in the course of firefighting, air ambulance, or search-and-rescue operations.

SB 168 would make it a misdemeanor to use or operate a drone at forest fire sites, punishable by a fine in an amount between $200 and $2,000 dollars. The bill would also provide that if a person knowingly, intentionally or recklessly violates the prohibition against flying an unmanned aircraft system over a fire area the violation would be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to six months or by a fine of $5,000 or both.

Earlier this month in Fresno, a civilian drone nearly collided with an air ambulance. In July at the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County, a 3,500-acre fire destroyed both homes and at least 20 vehicles as the blaze jumped Interstate 15. Prior to the fire reaching the Interstate, authorities had been forced to ground firefighting aircraft for safety reasons due to civilian drones operating in the area in violation of state and federal law. This was one of many such incidents in recent months.

The U.S. Forest Service confirms that drones have interfered with firefighting aircraft battling 13 separate wildfires this year. This constitutes an unacceptable threat to public safety.

The presence of unmanned aircraft systems during fires and other critical emergency services, endangers the life of pilots, emergency responders, citizens on the ground, and can lead to loss of life, property and valuable habitat if aerial operations are unnecessarily suspended. SB 168 will discourage the careless behavior of individuals that jeopardize the lives and property of residents and emergency personnel. SB 168 is a critical piece of legislation to keep rogue unmanned aircraft systems from interfering with the most effective response to time-sensitive crises. This bill is co-sponsored by the California Police Chiefs Association and the League of California Cities.

AB 168 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 7-0 vote this week. It is now on the Senate Floor. This bill has challenges in getting through the Legislative process this year, with the Legislative Session scheduled to end September 11, 2015. This would require many waivers of the rules to have this bill heard in the Assembly policy committees before the end of session.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month

SCR 88 (Runner) – Support 
As Introduced August 25, 2015

Senate Concurrent Resolution 88, by Senator Sharon Runner, would proclaim the month of January 2016 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking is recognized as a form of modern-day slavery. It is a crime that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to recruit, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain a person for purposes of labor and/or sexual exploitation. California is particularly vulnerable because of its proximity to international borders, number of ports and airports, significant immigrant population, and a large economy that includes industries that attract forced labor.

From mid-2010 to mid-2012, California’s nine regional human trafficking task forces identified 1.277 victims, initiated 2,552 investigations, arrested 1,798 individuals, and provided training to 25,591 law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other first responders.

SCR 88 encourages all Californians to become educated about human trafficking and work to eliminate these criminal practices within and beyond our boundaries. This measure also inspires organizations, businesses and communities, to host or sponsor and attend events that bring visibility and support to efforts made to recognize and combat human trafficking.

SCR 88 is on the Senate Floor on Third Reading. The measure has to be passed out of the Senate and heard in the Assembly prior to September 11, 2015.