BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



          SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                             Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
                            2015 - 2016  Regular  Session

          SB 868 (Jackson) - State Remote Piloted Aircraft Act
          
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          |Version: April 26, 2016         |Policy Vote: T. & H. 7 - 2,     |
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          |Urgency: No                     |Mandate: Yes                    |
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          |Hearing Date: May 27, 2016      |Consultant: Mark McKenzie       |
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          Bill  
          Summary:  SB 868 would enact the State Remote Piloted Aircraft  
          Act to establish a regulatory framework for the operation of  
          unmanned aircraft in this state, and authorize the Department of  
          Transportation (Caltrans) to adopt rules and regulations  
          governing the conditions under which remote piloted aircraft  
          (drones) may operate.


          *********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM - SUSPENSE FILE ***********
             The following information is revised to reflect amendments 
                      adopted by the committee on May 27, 2016




          Fiscal  
          Impact:  
           Estimated Caltrans costs in the range of $150,000 to $200,000  
            to develop and adopt rules and regulations governing the  
            operation of drones in California, should the department  
            exercise this authority. (State Highway Account)







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           Estimated ongoing costs, potentially in the range of $300,000  
            to $500,000, for additional staff to administer and oversee  
            state functions related to drone operations, including  
            coordination with state, federal, local, and private entities,  
            conducting training activities, and updating rules and  
            regulations as necessary.  These costs could be higher to the  
            extent Caltrans exercises its authority to act as an  
            enforcement entity (including additional costs for personnel  
            to undergo specified peace officer training), or to  
            participate in specified legal actions that involve state  
            interests related to unmanned aircraft systems.  (State  
            Highway Account) 

           Minor costs for Office of Emergency Services (OES) staff to  
            coordinate with Caltrans in developing rules and regulations  
            regarding drone operations near critical infrastructure.   
            (General Fund)

           Minor and absorbable costs to the Department of Parks and  
            Recreation (DPR) and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW)  
            to manage enforcement and permitting issues regarding the  
            operation of drones within airspace over the state parks  
            system or the lands and waters managed by DFW, respectively.   
            (Special funds)


          Author  
          Amendments:  
           Clarify that the bill applies to both general law and charter  
            cities.
           Specify that exceptions related to Federal Aviation Authority  
            (FAA) authorized drone operations are by FAA permit, license,  
            or rule.
           Specify that prohibited operations near critical  
            infrastructure would be designated by Caltrans rules or  
            regulations adopted in consultation with OES, rather than  
            through direct OES rules or regulations.
           Prohibit the operation of a drone, without authorization, in a  
            manner that interferes with the safe operation of amusement  
            parks or ski resorts, as specified.
           Delete provisions that authorize OES to adopt, amend or make  
            rules and regulations to administer drone operations around  
            critical infrastructure.








          SB 868 (Jackson)                                       Page 2 of  
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           Delete the requirement for OES to coordinate activities with  
            other public entities and to keep a copy of all rules and  
            regulations on file with the Secretary of State, and to  
            provide for the publication and general distribution of those  
            items.





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