AB 2043: Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the office of the Governor under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services. The act charges the office with responsibility for the state’s emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. The act specifies that its provisions do not prevent the Governor or the office from formally recognizing committees or boards established by or with segments of the private sector, public agencies, or both, that control facilities, resources, or the provision of services essential to the mitigation of the effects of an emergency or recovery therefrom.

This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, on or before January 1, 2027, to establish and lead the Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force to develop a statewide strategy to protect mass gatherings, critical infrastructure, and other soft targets from attacks by unmanned aircraft systems. The bill would require the Director of Emergency Services to seek to compose a membership of the task force that includes representatives of specific public and private entities, including, among others, the State Threat Assessment Center. The bill would authorize the task force to achieve its specific purpose, primary objective, and goals by developing or updating response plans specific to unmanned aircraft systems that integrate detection systems into existing emergency operation plans or incident command systems, among other things.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 22, 2026Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and E.M.
2. May 22, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3. May 22, 2026Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 5261.).
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
6. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7. April 20, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. April 14, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
9. April 13, 2026(Pending re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P.)
10. April 13, 2026Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 4580.)
11. April 7, 2026Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
12. April 6, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.