BILL NUMBER: AB 14 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 12, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Waldron
( Coauthor: Assembly Member
Maienschein )
DECEMBER 1, 2014
An act to add and repeal Title 24 (commencing with Section 110050)
of the Government Code, relating to unmanned aircraft systems
.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 14, as amended, Waldron. Unmanned aircraft systems :
task force.
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.
This bill would create the Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Task Force , comprised of 10 members, as provided . The
bill would require the task force
would be responsible for formulating to research,
develop, and formulate a comprehensive plan
policy for state regulation of unmanned
aircraft systems . The task force would be required to
submit, among other things, a comprehensive policy
draft and suggested legislation pertaining to unmanned aircraft
systems to the Legislature and the Governor throughout
the term of the task force, on or before January 1,
2018. The bill would provide that these provisions are repealed on
January 1, 2022.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Title 24 (commencing with Section 110050) is added to
the Government Code, to read:
TITLE 24. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force
110050. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a
need for California to have in place a comprehensive policy for the
operation of unmanned aircraft systems , and a desire to
work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the
development of and within the guidelines of the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAA as
they are put in place.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this title
that the a task force be
created by this act formulate to advise the
Governor and the Legislature in formulating a comprehensive
plan policy for the state regarding
unmanned aircraft systems, including, but not limited to,
commenting on FAA policy development, and anticipating and
recognizing California's unique needs for high technology, aerospace,
commercial, agricultural and public safety uses .
110051. (a) There is hereby created the Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Task Force which shall operate for two years, until
January 1, 2018.
(b) The task force shall take all actions necessary to
research, develop, and formulate a comprehensive plan
policy for state regulation of
unmanned aircraft systems , to promote
aviation, aerospace, agricultural, public safety and technology
industry uses throughout the state, through the commercialization of
aviation, aerospace, and technology products and ideas,
including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Reviewing Review regulations and
guidance from the FAA regarding unmanned aircraft systems
and incorporating incorporate them
into a state policy draft. draft and advise
the Governor and the Legislature on an on-going basis regarding FAA
policy development, task force activities, and public comment
regarding the development of the FAA guidelines to coincide with the
needs of California.
(2) Providing Provide written
recommendations, together with suggested legislation, for a
comprehensive state policy for unmanned aircraft systems
that protects privacy and allows the use of
unmanned aircraft systems for public and private
applications.
(3) Evaluating complaints and concerns that are expressed to the
task force regarding the use of unmanned aircraft.
(4) Studying the private use of unmanned aircraft to encourage
development of the unmanned aircraft industry in the private sector.
(3) Study the private use of unmanned aircraft systems to
encourage development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry in
the private sector.
(4) Evaluate complaints and concerns that are expressed to the
task force regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
(5) Studying Study and
making make recommendations with respect to
ensuring that unmanned aircraft systems users comply with
applicable laws, and assessing assess
implementation plans and results.
(6) Encourage communication and resource sharing among individuals
and organizations involved in the aviation, aerospace, agriculture,
government, and technology industry, including business, the
military, and academia.
110052. (a) Any written recommendations, suggested legislation,
or other drafts or documents required to be prepared pursuant to
Section 110051 shall be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor
throughout the term of the task force, on or before
January 1, 2018.
(b) The materials described in subdivision (a) shall be submitted
in compliance with Section 9795.
110053. The task force shall consist of 10 members, as follows,
who shall serve a two-year term:
(a) The Adjutant General of the Military Department, or his or her
designee, shall be an ex officio member of the task force.
(b) Three members appointed by the Governor:
(1) A member representing the California University System.
(2) A member representing agriculture.
(3) A member from the Governor's economic development group.
(c) Three members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules:
(1) A member representing the aerospace industry.
(2) A member representing the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
(3) A member representing law enforcement.
(d) Three members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly:
(1) A member representing business and industry.
(2) Two public members who have participated in the unmanned
aircraft system industry and who have experience operating
unmanned aircraft systems .
110054. (a) The task force may meet as frequently as necessary to
carry out its responsibilities.
(b) The members of the task force shall serve without
compensation, but shall receive a per diem of one hundred dollars
($100) and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred
in connection with the performance of their duties.
110055. The task force may appoint an executive director, who may
employ staff upon approval by the task force.
110056. The task force shall be funded by an appropriation in the
annual Budget Act.
110097. This title shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2022, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2022, deletes or extends
that date.