Assembly BillChaptered/SignedPublic Utilities
AB 2113: Aviation: unmanned aircraft systems: ticketed entertainment events and amusement parks.
What AB 2113 does, verified September 22, 2026
The bill prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft systems within a 400-foot radius of or above ticketed entertainment events, with exceptions for certain circumstances. A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of $500. The bill creates a new crime and requires local programs, resulting in state-mandated local spending. The state is not required to reimburse local agencies and school districts for the costs associated with implementing this bill.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 383, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-20)Alert me
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| Sep. 20, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 383, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 20, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 04, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 27, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 6723.). |
| Aug. 27, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
Latest bill textChaptered version, September 20, 2026 · 965 words
Assembly Bill No. 2113
CHAPTER 383
An act to add Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 21750) to Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to aviation.
[ Approved by Governor September 20, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 20, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2113, McKinnor. Aviation: unmanned aircraft systems: ticketed entertainment events and amusement parks.
Existing federal law regulates aviation safety and airspace efficiency for manned and unmanned aircraft. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impede police officers, firefighters, emergency medical, or other emergency personnel or military personnel in the performance of their duties by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle at the scene of an emergency. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to use an unmanned aircraft system to invade a person’s privacy, as specified. Existing law prohibits operating an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of a state prison, jail, or juvenile hall, as specified.
This bill would prohibit the operation of an unmanned aircraft within 400 feet of an outdoor ticketed entertainment event or an amusement park, except under specified circumstances. The bill would make a violation of this prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine of $500. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) New and emerging technologies, including unmanned aircraft (drones), pose an evolving risk to public safety, particularly at large-scale live entertainment and sporting events involving dense crowds that are central to the state’s economy and the enjoyment of its residents.
(b) The continued vitality of outdoor live entertainment and major sporting events in the state depends on the ability to protect attendees, artists, athletes, and event personnel from any risks that may be posed by unauthorized or unsafe drone operations.
(c) The state is home to marquee events and upcoming global gatherings, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LX, and major live entertainment festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, La Onda, Stagecoach Festival, Beyond Wonderland SoCal, Aftershock Festival, and numerous other events that attract hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.
SEC. 2.
Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 21750) is added to Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code, to read:PART 1.5. Unmanned Aircraft Systems
21750.
For purposes of this part, all of the following definitions apply:(a) “Amusement park” means a permanent facility or park, open to the public, that includes one or more amusement rides or attractions, and is classified within North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 713110 by the NAICS Association.
(b) “Ticketed entertainment event” means any professional music, sporting, or performing arts event that meets both of the following requirements:
(1) It is held in an entertainment venue with the capacity to hold 1,000 or more attendees with gated entries or barriers that prevent access to the general public.
(2) It is not covered by Federal Aviation Administration restrictions.
(c) “Unmanned aircraft” has the same meaning as defined in Section 853.5 of the Government Code.
(d) “Venue operator” means any person who owns, operates, manages, or controls an entertainment venue or amusement park.
21752.
(a) It is unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft within 400 feet of an outdoor ticketed entertainment event or amusement park.(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a person who operates an unmanned aircraft under the following circumstances:
(1) The person (A) has obtained consent from the venue operator for the ticketed entertainment event or amusement park, or (B) is an employee of the entertainment venue where the ticketed entertainment event is held, or of the amusement park, and is conducting official business.
(2) The person is an employee of a water, sewer, electrical, telephone, cable, or other regulated utility service provider, or a federal, state, or local transportation agency, including the Department of Transportation, and is conducting official business.
(3) The person holds a certificate, waiver, or other authorization issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate an unmanned aircraft, is operating for a commercial purpose, is authorized to conduct commercial operations beyond visual line of sight using unmanned aircraft, and is operating in compliance with all applicable federal regulations and the terms of that authorization. This paragraph does not authorize the capture with intent to distribute copyrighted images or video of a ticketed entertainment event or amusement park without authorization from the venue operator.
(c) A violation of this section is an infraction. Each violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500).
(d) This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a firefighter, peace officer, medical personnel, or other public agency emergency personnel in the performance of their fire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response duties from using an unmanned aircraft within 400 feet of an outdoor ticketed entertainment event or amusement park.
SEC. 3.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.Text of AB 2113 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions