Impeding emergency response with drone.

Assembly Member Dixon's legislation addressing drone interference at emergency scenes would establish new civil penalties of up to $75,000 per incident when unmanned aerial vehicles impede first responders. The measure prohibits operating drones in ways that obstruct firefighters, law enforcement, medical personnel, military members, or other emergency responders during their official duties, while maintaining an exemption for operators with federal aviation waivers.

The bill empowers the California Attorney General, county counsels, and city attorneys to pursue civil enforcement actions against violators. In addition to monetary penalties, courts could issue injunctive relief and require defendants to pay the prevailing plaintiff's legal fees and costs. This civil enforcement framework supplements existing criminal statutes that already restrict drone operations at emergency scenes and protect against privacy invasions through aerial trespass.

The legislation maintains alignment with federal aviation regulations by exempting drone operators who hold Part 107 Operational Waivers issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. This provision preserves the ability of properly authorized pilots to conduct legitimate drone operations while establishing consequences for those who interfere with emergency response activities.