An oversight hearing on the topic “Drones and Emergencies: Are we putting public safety at risk?” happened Tuesday afternoon before a State Senate Committee. A number of bills have been introduced, including one we told you about earlier this summer that increases fines and allows the possibility of jail time for drone use that interferes with firefighting efforts. One of the principal co-authors is Nevada County’s State Senator Ted Gaines. He says he’s also principal co-author of another measure that would grant immunity to any emergency responder who damages an unmanned aircraft in the course of firefighting, also including air ambulance and search-and-rescue operations…

click to listen to Senator Gaines

Gaines says the issue of drone interference has gotten a lot of bi-partisan support. He says another bill that he helped co-author, this one with Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson, has already made it out of the Senate and is now in the Assembly…

click to listen to Senator Gaines

Gaines says the bills under discussion Tuesday still have several more Senate committee hearings to go through. If they then survive a floor vote they would then go to the Assembly. The Legislature, which was back in session on Monday, is scheduled to adjourn around mid-September.