CA AB481

Law enforcement agencies must obtain governing body approval via ordinance before funding, acquiring, or using military equipment, with approval based on determinations that equipment is necessary, will safeguard public welfare and civil rights, and is cost-effective.

Military equipment is defined to include unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, explosives, firearms of .50 caliber or greater, tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and other specialized weapons, with specific exclusions for standard-issue service weapons and consumer vehicles.

Law enforcement agencies must submit proposed military equipment use policies to governing bodies at least 30 days before public hearings, make policies publicly available online, and hold annual community engagement meetings to discuss military equipment use.

Governing bodies must conduct annual reviews of military equipment use based on agency reports and may disapprove renewal or require policy modifications if equipment has not complied with approval standards.

State agencies must create military equipment use policies before acquiring or using military equipment and publish policies on their websites and provide copies to the Governor by May 1, 2022.