BILL NUMBER: SB 271	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Gaines

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2015

   An act to add Section 626.12 to the Penal Code, relating to
unmanned aircraft systems.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   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 1.  Section 626.12 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
   626.12.  (a) Unless authorized by federal law, it shall be 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, and shall be punished as follows:
   (1) Upon a first conviction under this section, a fine of no more
than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
   (2) Upon a second and any subsequent conviction under this
section, a fine of no more than five hundred dollars ($500).
   (b) For the purposes of this section, "unmanned aircraft system"
means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including
communication links and the components that control the unmanned
aircraft, that are required for the pilot in command to operate
safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.
   (c) This section shall not apply to the operation of an unmanned
aircraft system by law enforcement during a public safety emergency.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.