State Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) has authored legislation that would further regulate the unmanned aircraft known as drones purchased by hobbyists and other non-commercial operators.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto is proposing an additional level of regulation for non-commercial drone operators in California. (photo courtesy of CineDrones)

Known as the Drone Act of 2016, the legislation would require drones sold in California to have physical or electronic license plates that authorities could use to identify the aircraft if they are involved in collisions or are located after interfering with manned aircraft. Gatto is also calling for drones to be equipped with GPS technology that would automatically force them to land if they are flown near an airport or other sensitive sites, and for a requirement that drone operators buy insurance when the aircraft are purchased, much the same way automobile insurance is required when a vehicle is purchased.

Gatto’s call for tighter regulations for drones comes on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration requiring hobbyists who purchase unmanned aircraft to register them with federal authorities. The cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood have also approved regulations for drones that augment federal regulations. Los Angeles’ ordinance prohibits drones from being flown within five miles of major airports and out of an operator’s line of sight. Federal laws also prohibit drone operators from flying near airports and ban them from being flown higher than 400 feet in elevation.

The West Hollywood City Council granted final approval Tuesday to an ordinance requiring drone operators to apply for a permit to operate drones in the city. The city’s ordinance also prohibits them from being flown within 25 feet of people, capturing images of people on private property without their consent and operating out of the operator’s line of sight or at an elevation higher than 400 feet.

Gatto likened drones to automobiles needing for strict regulations, and said the insurance requirement has not been addressed. He added that state regulations are needed because there are no federal or local laws that address all of the issues pertaining to drone flight.

“A situation where you have piecemeal laws isn’t effective,” Gatto said. “You need to have uniform regulations in place statewide that protect the well-being of all residents in our state.”

The amount of insurance to be required and the cost has not been worked out. Gatto said it could cost as little as $1, and would ensure people are covered for liability if drones go out of control and crash into people or property. He cited laws enacted in the early 1900s at the beginning of the automobile age “revolutionary” in requiring insurance and allowing people to sue drivers who are involved in accidents.

“One could imagine the auto industry balking at the idea of registration requirements at the turn-of-the-century, but the industry survived,” Gatto said. “As technology evolves, so must our laws in order to protect our citizenry. This is a sensible measure that will increase public safety and encourage responsible use of drones in California.”

Mike Fortin, owner of CineDrones, a West Hollywood-based company that supplies commercial drones for filming, said he is uncertain about the need for additional state registration and questioned the “patchwork” of laws that has been proposed at different levels of government for hobbyist drone operation.

“The states are trying to get in on a molecular level. If it’s registered with the FAA, then it’s already registered,” Fortin said. “It’s furthering the ignorance of the whole thing. Operators are hearing one thing from the FAA and another thing from the state or local municipalities, and it just adds to the confusion.”

However, Fortin added that the insurance requirement could be a step in the right direction.

“I am on the fence about the insurance, but it may be a good thing,” Fortin said. “On the commercial end, all drones are required to be insured and FAA approved. We will have to see if there is a need for hobbyist drones to be insured as well. On the state level, I can certainly see that.”

Gatto’s law will next be assigned to an Assembly committee for review.