AB 481Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
Training Bulletin Assembly Bill 481
Topic: Assembly Bill 481
Summary: AB 481, signed September 30, 2021, created Government Code Sections 7070-7075 which placed limitations upon law enforcement's ability to obtain military style equipment
These new codes:
Define military equipment under 16 separate points to include armored vehicles, command and control vehicels, battering rams and breaching devices (excluding one-person, hand-held devices), .50 caliber or greater firearms and ammunition, certain assault weapons, flashbangs, 40mm launchers, bean bags, rubber bullets, among others.
Require a "Military Equipment Use Policy" be adopted and publicly released by law enforcement agencies.
Require agencies to get approval from their governing body in an open meeting before they request, seek funds for, obtain, use or collaborate with another agency for military equipment.
Require agencies to get permission from the governing board before May 1, 2022, in order to use equipment obtained before January 1, 2022.
Provides specific approval requirements for governing bodies when deciding to approve the request.
Require agencies that receive approval to submit annual military equipment reports to the governing body.
Section 7073 provides separate requirements for State agencies.
Section 7074 applies these laws to all cities, including charter cities.
Section 7075 allows municipalities and counties to implement additional requirements as they see fit.