Drone bill goes to Brown

Measure targeting use of the devices in unlawful activities would close loophole under state law.

SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers have passed a bill making the use of drones unlawful during illegal activities such as violating a protective order, interfering with emergency response personnel or facilitating the delivery of contraband to jails.

The measure would close a loophole under California law in the absence of a complete federal regulatory framework for using unmanned aerial vehicles, lawmakers said.

AB 2320, authored by Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) and Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), would expand the definition of various misdemeanor and felony offenses, such as stalking and violation of a restraining order, to apply to people flying drones.

The bill passed with a 69-0 vote. It is now headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk for a signature.

Brown has vetoed legislation to regulate drones in the past, saying he does not want to create new crimes to enforce bans on the use of such devices.

This legislative session, drone manufacturers and associations boosted their politicking, successfully beating back several bills they said would create a patchwork of laws that vary by state and hinder innovation.

Critics have called AB 2320 one of several piecemeal solutions that remained, as debate rages over how much control states and cities should take in regulating drones.