Bill Text: CA AB2113 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Aviation: unmanned aircraft systems: ticketed entertainment events.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-07-01 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [AB2113 Detail]
Download: California-2025-AB2113-Amended.html
system within 400 feet a 400-foot radius of, or above, a ticketed entertainment event.
Bill Title: Aviation: unmanned aircraft systems: ticketed entertainment events.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-07-01 - From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [AB2113 Detail]
Download: California-2025-AB2113-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 26, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2113
| Introduced by Assembly Member McKinnor |
February 18, 2026 |
An act to add Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 21750) to Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to aviation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2113, as amended, McKinnor.
Aviation: unmanned aircraft systems: ticketed entertainment events.
Existing federal law regulates aviation safety and airspace efficiency for manned and unmanned aircraft. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impede police officers, firefighters, emergency medical, or other emergency personnel or military personnel in the performance of their duties by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle at the scene of an emergency. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to use an unmanned aircraft system to invade a person’s privacy, as specified. Existing law prohibits operating an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of a state prison, jail, or juvenile hall, as specified.
This bill would prohibit the operation of an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet
a 400-foot radius of, or above, a ticketed entertainment event, except under specified circumstances. The bill would make a violation of this prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine of $500. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) New and emerging technologies, including unmanned aircraft systems (drones), pose an evolving risk to public safety, particularly at large-scale live entertainment and sporting events involving dense crowds that are central to the state’s economy and the enjoyment of its residents.
(b) The continued vitality of outdoor live entertainment and major sporting events in the state depends on the ability to protect attendees, artists, athletes, and
event personnel from the risks posed by unauthorized or unsafe drone operations.
(c) While federal authorities historically maintain jurisdiction over national airspace and temporary flight restrictions, they may not always be positioned to respond quickly to unauthorized drone activity occurring at live entertainment venues, stadiums, or other large public gatherings.
(d) In practice, many large events rely on the local familiarity and venue-specific expertise of local law enforcement agencies to oversee public safety operations. Empowering local law enforcement to take appropriate and timely action in response to unauthorized drone operations within restricted airspace will enhance crowd safety and reduce the risk of harm.
(e) Effective communication among the Federal Aviation Administration, state agencies, municipalities, and local law enforcement is necessary to ensure that temporary flight restrictions are properly requested, implemented, communicated, and enforced.
(f) The state is home to marquee events and upcoming global gatherings, including the 2028 Summer Olympics, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LX, and major live entertainment festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, La Onda, Stagecoach Festival, Beyond Wonderland SoCal, Aftershock Festival, and numerous other events that attract hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.
(g) State action is necessary to protect the public safety and the economic ecosystem of outdoor live events and to
preserve cultural relevance of California outdoor venues. Establishing clear regulation of drones and comprehensive protocols for local law enforcement ensures the long-term vitality of outdoor live events in the state.
SEC. 2.
Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 21750) is added to Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, to read:PART 1.5. Unmanned Aircraft Systems
21750.
For purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:(a) “Ticketed entertainment event” means any music, sporting, or performing arts event held in a location an entertainment venue with gated entries or barriers that prevent access to the general public and in which a revocable license that has been issued by an owner, operator, or lessee the venue operator
of that property the entertainment venue is required for attendance at the event.
(b) (1)“Unmanned aircraft system” means a powered, aerial vehicle that meets all of the following requirements: aircraft” has the same meaning as defined in Section 853.5 of the Government Code.
(A)It does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
(B)It uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift.
(C)It can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely.
(D)It can be expendable or recoverable.
(2)An unmanned aircraft system does not include a satellite.
(c) “Venue operator” means any person who owns,
operates, manages, or controls an entertainment venue.
21752.
(a) It is unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a person who operates an unmanned aircraft system under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The person
(A) has obtained consent by any person with legal authority over the venue operator for the ticketed entertainment event. event, or (B) is an employee of the entertainment venue where the ticketed entertainment event is held and is conducting official business.
(2) The person is authorized by federal regulations
adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration
to operate an unmanned aircraft system and is operating that system the unmanned aircraft in a lawful manner and consistent with those federal regulations.
(3)The person is an employee of the property where the ticketed entertainment event is held and is conducting official business.
(4)
(3) The person is an employee of a water, sewer, electrical, telephone, cable, or other regulated utility service provider and is conducting official business.
(5)The person is an owner of private property who is operating an unmanned aircraft system that they own above that property, provided that the operation is consistent with federal regulations and is not used for commercial purposes, to convey or communicate a message, or to record for purposes of commercial broadcasting or publication, monitor, or otherwise interfere in any way with the ticketed entertainment event.
(c) A violation of this section is an infraction. Each violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars
($500).
