Bill > ABX111

This bill amends California's existing law regarding interference with emergency personnel by creating stricter penalties for operating drones during fire-related emergencies. Currently, it is a misdemeanor to impede emergency personnel by stopping at an emergency scene to view the activities of police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, or military personnel. The bill specifically targets drone operators, making it a felony to use an unmanned aerial vehicle, remote piloted aircraft, or drone at the scene of a fire-related emergency in a way that interferes with emergency responders. If convicted, offenders could face imprisonment in county jail for 16 months or 2-3 years and be fined up to $10,000. The bill also makes some minor language updates, such as replacing gender-specific pronouns with gender-neutral "their" throughout the text. Additionally, the bill includes a provision stating that local agencies will not be reimbursed for costs associated with implementing this new law, as it primarily creates a new crime and changes existing criminal penalties.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520261AB11