Plain English Breakdown
The official text contains conflicting phrasing ('authorize a local agency... upon prohibit') which suggests an amendment in progress; the summary reflects the prohibition and penalty authorization as stated.
Civil Penalty for Drones That Block Emergency Workers
This law prohibits flying drones that block emergency workers at an emergency scene and allows local agencies to charge a civil penalty of up to $75,000.
What This Bill Does
- Prohibits operating or using a drone at the scene of an emergency if it impedes firefighters, peace officers, medical personnel, military personnel, or other emergency personnel in their duties.
- Allows local agencies to impose a civil penalty not exceeding $75,000 for violating this prohibition.
- Exempts people from the ban if they have a federal operational waiver as specified.
- Authorizes the Attorney General, county counsel, or city attorney to bring civil action to enforce the law.
- Allows successful plaintiffs in these cases to recover civil penalties, injunctive relief, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who operate drones at emergency scenes
- Firefighters, peace officers, medical personnel, military personnel, and other emergency responders
- Local agencies that enforce the penalty
- The Attorney General or local city and county attorneys
Terms To Know
- Civil penalty
- A fine imposed by a government agency, distinct from criminal punishment.
- Federal operational waiver
- Specific federal permission that allows someone to operate a drone in situations otherwise prohibited by this law.
Limits and Unknowns
- The source material does not specify which local agencies are authorized to collect the fines.
- The bill refers to 'fire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response duties' but does not define exactly what actions count as impeding these duties beyond that description.
- The effective date of this law is not listed in the provided source material.