California Legislature Takes On Drones, Guns

The California legislature worked into the evening on Tuesday, dealing with hundreds of bills.

The Senate gave final approval to a bill that would allow vote by mail ballots to count if they are postmarked by Election Day. Senators approved a measure that would let voters decide in 2016 whether to repeal restrictions on bilingual education in the state. Senators also unanimously approved a bill banning political fundraisers at the homes and offices of lobbyists.

The Senate also voted to restrict public agency use of drones. Senator Ted Lieu says it’s an area of law that’s currently unregulated.

“One of the restrictions is it bans law enforcement from using drones unless they have a warrant based on probable cause, except in limited circumstances,” he says. “It also says that agencies have to destroy images captured by drones within one year, except in some limited circumstances. It also bans the weaponization of drones.”

The Assembly passed a bill regarding BB guns that Democrat Marc Levine says could save police officers from making tragic mistakes.  

“SB 199 would require these air soft guns to be painted with bright, distinguishable colors to make it clear that they are not real guns,” he says. “This simple act may save innocent lives.”

The Assembly also gave final approval to a measure that expedites the testing of DNA rape kits.