Assembly Bill 481 Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, and Use Policy

On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 481 to address the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment.

AB 481 Definition of Military Equipment

The Assembly Bill has designated certain types of law enforcement equipment as "military equipment." The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has equipment that meets the criteria, including:

• Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to purchase as new equipment
• Commercial Armored Vehicle to purchase as new equipment
• Military Armored Humvees
• Mobile Command Vehicle
• Unmanned Robots
• Rifles identified as assault weapons under Penal Code 30510 & 30515
• Kinetic Energy Weapons and Munitions
• Tear Gas Launchers and Munitions
• Noise Flash Diversionary Devices
• Ballistic Body Armor and Helmets
• Explosive Ordinance

Read the full text of AB 481 including the complete list of items described as "military equipment".

Requirements of AB 481

AB 481 required each law enforcement agency's governing body to adopt a written military use policy by ordinance in a public forum by April 30, 2022, in order to continue the use of this previously acquired equipment effective May 1, 2022. To help guide this process, see the following required materials:

• Lexipol Policy 704 is available to view. The AB 481 defined list of military equipment currently in the Shasta County Sheriff’s possession is included in the draft policy.
• Establish a concern or complaint process. Use the reporting tool for concerns or complaints specific to AB 481, or you can email us directly at AB481ShastaSheriff@shastacounty.gov
• Prepare an Annual Report to include the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Lexipol Policy 704, the cost of such use and other similar information. This webpage will be utilized for distribution of any updates to the above materials as well as for the Annual Report. The first Annual Report will be distributed in 2023.

Note: The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has obtained and uses two Humvees from the United States Department of Defense through the Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program)

Public Input Regarding AB 481

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office will hold a public forum to provide input regarding AB 481 on June 19 , 2023 at 11:00am at City of Shasta Lake – Larry J. Farr Community Center at 4499 Main St. Shasta Lake City.

1. Participate in the Community Meeting on Monday, June 19 at 11:00am. The meeting location is 4499 Main St., Shasta Lake City. Meeting topics will include
   • Definition of military equipment;
   • Shasta County Sheriff's Office military equipment inventory;
   • Shasta County Sheriff's Office proposed equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy;
   • Pending annual report requirement;
   • Community engagement and public access to materials.
2. Following this meeting, this item is tentatively planned to be considered by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors at a future regular meeting in 2023. Complete agenda packets with back-up reports for the Board of Supervisors will be agendized. Resident participation is encouraged.