AB 481 Military Equipment

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" including:

  1. Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles.
  2. Mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers. However, police versions of standard consumer vehicles are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
  3. High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), commonly referred to as Humvees, two-and-one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached. However, unarmored all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorized dirt bikes are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
  4. Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants and utilize a tracked system instead of wheels for forward motion.
  5. Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units.
  6. Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind.
  7. Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature. However, items designed to remove a lock, such as bolt cutters, or a handheld ram designed to be operated by one person, are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
  8. Firearms of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotguns are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
  9. Ammunition of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotgun ammunition is specifically excluded from this subdivision.
  10. Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including assault weapons as defined in § 30510 and §30515 of the Penal Code, with the exception of standard issue service weapons and ammunition of less than .50 caliber that are issued to officers, agents, or employees of a law enforcement agency or state agency.
  11. Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles.
  12. “Flashbang” grenades and explosive breaching tools, “tear gas,” and “pepperballs,” excluding standard, service-issued handheld pepper spray.
  13. Taser Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs).
  14. The following projectile launch platforms and their associated munitions: 40mm projectile launchers, “bean bag,” rubber bullet, and specialty impact munition (SIM) weapons.
  15. Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight.

The full text of AB 481 can be accessed here.

The Glenn County Sheriff's Office has equipment that meets the criteria of "military equipment". The complete list of equipment currently in inventory that meets this definition can be found here.

Requirements of AB 481

AB 481 requires each law enforcement agency's governing body to adopt a written military use policy by ordinance in a public forum 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 709 of the Glenn County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual is available to view here
  • Establish a concern or complaint process.
    • For concerns or complaints related to Glenn County Sheriff's Office and AB 481, please complete a Citizen Complaint Form, sign and return to Glenn County Sheriff's Office by mail or in person at 543 W. Oak Street. Willows, CA 95988 or by email to gcsoadmin@countyofglenn.net 
  • Prepare an Annual Report to include the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of Glenn County Sheriff’s Office Lexipol Policy 709, 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 on or around June 2023.

Public Input Regarding AB 481

The Glenn County Sheriff's Office will gather public input at the Glenn County Board of Supervisor's meeting on August 30, 2022, and October 4, 2022. The Board of Supervisors will then review and consider for adoption at the October 18, 2022 meeting. Residents are encouraged to participate in the meetings. Meetings will be posted here.