Assembly Bill 481
AB 481 - Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition and Use Policy
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law seven major peace officer reform bills, including Assembly Bill 481. AB 481 was authored by Assembly member David Chieu (D-San Francisco) to address the funding, acquisition, and use of items lawmakers deemed to be considered “military equipment.”
This bill requires law enforcement agencies, including the Scotts Valley Police Department, “to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified, by ordinance at a regular meeting held pursuant to specified open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined.” The full text of AB 481 is available here.
Requirements of AB 481
AB 481 requires each law enforcement agency's governing body to adopt a written military equipment use policy by ordinance in a public forum by April 30, 2022, in order to continue the use of this previously acquired military equipment effective May 1, 2022.
To help guide this process, SVPD has crafted a summary of AB 481 for our residents, as well as the following required materials:
• The Scotts Valley Police Department’s draft Military Equipment Policy 706 is available to view here. The AB 481 defined list of military equipment currently in SVPD's possession is included in the draft Military Equipment Policy, as well as each items purpose, authorized use, expected lifespan and fiscal impact.
City Council Staff Report
• On April 6, 2022, the Scotts Valley Police Department presented the Lexipol Policy #706 - Military Equipment Use to the City Council in a Staff Report available here: Presentation of Scotts Valley Police Department Lexipol Policy #706 - Military Equipment Use.
2023 AB 481 Annual Report
• The Scotts Valley Police Department will hold a public meeting on April 15, 2024 to review the 2023 AB 481 Annual Report and answer any questions the public may have. More detailed information on the time and location of the meeting is available here: AB 481 2023 Annual Report Public Meeting. The 2023 AB 481 Annual Report is available to view here: Scotts Valley Police Department 2023 AB 481 Annual Report.