SB 271, as introduced, Gaines. Unmanned aircraft systems.
Existing law makes it a crime to possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of a public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law also makes it a crime to possess specified knives or blades on the grounds of a public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
This bill would make it an infraction to operate an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive. This bill would provide for a fine of no more than $150 for the first violation of its provisions, and a fine of no more than $500 for each subsequent violation.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 626.12 is added to the Penal Code, to
2read:
(a) Unless authorized by federal law, it shall be an
2infraction to operate an unmanned aircraft system on or above the
3grounds of a public school providing instruction in kindergarten
4or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and shall be punished as follows:
5(1) Upon a first conviction under this section, a fine of no more
6than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
7(2) Upon a second and any subsequent conviction under this
8section, a fine of no more than five hundred dollars ($500).
9(b) For the purposes of this section, “unmanned aircraft system”
10means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including
11communication links and
the components that control the
12unmanned aircraft, that are required for the pilot in command to
13operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.
14(c) This section shall not apply to the operation of an unmanned
15aircraft system by law enforcement during a public safety
16emergency.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
18Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
19the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
20district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
21infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
22for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
23the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
24the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
25Constitution.
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