AB-426
Justice & Public Safety

Impeding emergency response with drone.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
1
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits drone operation at emergency scenes that impedes first responders and emergency personnel.
  • Authorizes civil penalties up to $75,000 per violation for interfering with emergency response.
  • Allows the Attorney General and local attorneys to pursue civil enforcement actions.
  • Exempts drone operators who hold federal operational waivers from these restrictions.

Summary

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.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 426 Dixon Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 14 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/5/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits drone operation at emergency scenes that impedes first responders and emergency personnel.
  • Authorizes civil penalties up to $75,000 per violation for interfering with emergency response.
  • Allows the Attorney General and local attorneys to pursue civil enforcement actions.
  • Exempts drone operators who hold federal operational waivers from these restrictions.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

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.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/5/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 426 Dixon Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
120113PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 14 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member