Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee, Tuesday, April 21, 2026
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Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee California State Assembly
Follow its sittingsSpeaker 2
Alright. We have our first author, our fellow committee member, assembly member McKinnon, who's here to present item number one, a b twenty one thirteen. And, miss McKinnon, when you are situated and ready
Speaker 4
Hello. Good morning. Thank you guys for waiting. Apologize for the tardiness. Mister chair and members, AB two one one three addresses a growing public safety gap as the use of drones become more widespread across California.
Large ticketed entertainment events such as concerts, festivals, and sporting events often bring tens of thousands of people into dense, confined spaces, especially in my district. In these environments, unauthorized drones activity poses real risks, including potential, injury to attendees, disruption of operations, and interference with the emergency response efforts. While the federal government regulates airspace, it is not always positioned to respond quickly to drone activity occurring directly above these events. Local law enforcement is responsible for on the ground safety. Yet current law does not provide clear, enforceable authority to address this specific issue.
Speaker 9
AB twenty one thirteen responds to this gap by establishing a clear and straightforward rule that prohibits the operation of a drone within a 400 foot radius of a ticketed entertainment event held at an outdoor venue capable of accommodating a thousand or more attendees. The bill creates a simple infraction with a $500 fine, strengthening deterrence while remaining practical to enforce. Importantly, AB 2,113 is narrowly tailored. It focuses solely on the physical operation of drones in close proximity to large crowds and does not expand surveillance authority to implicate personal privacy. The bill also includes a common six, exemption for authorized operators, including those with event organized consent, venue employees and utility workers.
Speaker 4
By providing a clear statutory framework, AB 2,113 empowers local authorities to respond effectively, enhances crowd safety, and ensures California is prepared to safely host major events that are central to our economy and cultural life. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. My witness with me today is Josh Stevens with Blind Nation. Thank you.
Speaker 5
Chair, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to address you guys today. My name is Josh Stevens. I'm a senior manager of government affairs for Live Nation, and we are proud cosponsors of AB two one one three. I'm here today speaking in favor of it as a necessary and significant improvement on public safety regulations for live outdoor events and the large crowds they attract. Last year alone, we welcomed over a 150,000,000 fans to Live Nation events across 54,000 concerts.
Modern technologies such as drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles prevent a new present a new challenge for public safety at large events such as the ones we put on. This bill would be a meaningful step to solving that challenge. Recreational drone usage has increased substantially over the last five years, more than a 160% since 2019 according to the FAA, and our operational experience reflects that. Drone incursions have become more common in all types of events from small outdoor concerts to large multi day festivals. Despite that, regulatory guidelines have not kept up to this new trend and leave event organizers and our law enforcement partners vulnerable to potential bad actors.
Federal guidelines and processes are unfortunately currently inconsistent for event organizers and rarely apply to any but the largest of events such as the Super Bowl or World Cup matches that will start next month in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. While there have been efforts to improve the situation and streamline the temporary flight restriction process, also known as TFRs, these haven't yet led to consistent meaningful change. And we alone hosted a thousand events in 2025 with 10,000 or more attendees that did not meet the qualifications for FAA TFRs to prevent drone usage above those large crowds. As a result, new state law remains the best option to helping event organizers keep attendees safe and to give law enforcement agencies the regulations they need to take action against unauthorized drone users. To be clear, we believe in a layered approach to this issue, one that includes state and federal frameworks that work together to protect the largest events as that is the best possible solution for public safety.
And we will continue to work extensively with the FAA and congress as part of our larger coalition of cities and public safety agencies to improve their processes. We hope California will do its part with this bill and look forward to working with you on it. Thank you. Okay.
Speaker 2
Great. Thank you. Right on the nose. Are there any other members of the public wishing to, state a position of support? Please oppose, approach the microphone.
Speaker 6
Mister chair and members, Scott Governor Baffin San Francisco 49ers in support.
Speaker 1
chair and members, Eli Garcia with a late, support, for bottle for the Bottle Rock concert. Thank you.
Speaker 2
Thank you. Alright. Seeing no other members of the public. Are there any members, of the public here in opposition? We have none on file.
Speaker 11
Mister chair, I'm Sabrina Lockhart with the California Attractions and Parks Association. We actually have a support if amended. Yes. If the bill, includes amusement parks, we appreciate the author's leadership in this space. We appreciate her willingness to continue to work with us and the committee staff for outlining our concerns in the analysis.
Speaker 7
We like these events, we welcome thousands of guests every day. Unlike these events, we have rides. So if an unauthorized drone were to strike a ride, can cause serious injury. Last year, when congress reauthorized FFA FAA, they designated us as critical infrastructure, same as national landmarks and energy grids. So we hope to keep the conversation going and hope that those amendments are made before it reaches the floor.
Thank you.
Speaker 13
morning, chairmembers. Jose Torres with TechNet. We are in an opposing less amended position. Sorry. I apologize for getting in our letter late, but I just wanted to highlight we appreciate the author and their office for their work on this bill.
Speaker 8
Understanding the intent of the bill and the significance significance of that, to be clear, our concern is to ensure that we don't inadvertently limit the use of a growing technology and valid commercial uses. That being said, understanding that the provision of a drone would be 400 feet within an outdoor ticketed venue, but in very much urban stadiums, this would mean that the neighbors to these stadiums wouldn't be able to use a drone for valid commercial reasons, whether it be using a drone to look at the structural aspects of a building during the day, such as, like, the various hotels across from, like, Petco Park or if a realtor wants to use a drone to record an apartment across the street and wants to highlight the experience outside of the venue, that would be prohibited during a game or, like, in a at a good event. But other than that, you know, appreciate the author, but thank you for your time.
Speaker 2
We'll take a look at that that that letter when it comes in. Turning it back to committee, any members, comments? Assembly member Gonzalez.
Speaker 1
To my esteemed colleague, you know, I have Coachella stagecoach and, in the future, head trip. We also have BNP Paribas within the region. So drones are are very normal piece of drones and flyovers are a very piece. And and I understand the necessity of protecting large crowds, especially in light of, the tactics, techniques, and procedures that are being, that we're seeing live, with the Russia Ukraine conflict and, being that was my my bailiwick in a pro former life. I I can understand that.
My question to this is with respect to the drone, whatever drone that is, right, the unauthorized because authorized are okay, the unauthorized drone. What's the way in which to that we're gonna hold these folks accountable? Right? Drone flies over. How do you find the person?
What's how do how are we gonna do that?
Speaker 10
So it's a great question. And mitigation and prevention are two very different things. And and, certainly, under current regulatory frameworks, require very different authorizations and approaches, trainings for law enforcement, not to mention equipment. This is certainly a a fantastic first step to prohibiting, and it gives law enforcement as as representative pointed out, there's currently no justification to tell someone they can't do something and to and to get them to stop, which which this would authorize. There's probably a more involved process that would have to take place on the mitigation front, and there's been a substantial amount of work done on that ahead of the World Cup starting next month.
Speaker 5
And there's been a federal task force that I believe the FBI has led with police departments that are going to be hosting those games, training equipment. Funding for all that has been led federally, not so much on the state side. Again, that's you know, a layered approach is important here, and and you've certainly struck that there's more to do. But this is an important first step.
Speaker 1
the challenges that we we have to overcome and and that is that there is an evolving technology with respect
Speaker 3
wanna get too deep into the proprietary and confidential stuff that law enforcement has to deal with. But, there are, unfortunately, regulations that we have that that don't allow us to to completely mitigate drone operations because of the technology and where it comes from and there are regulations currently in place that don't allow us to stop these types of things. I I'd be more than willing to talk with the author about this and and help out in any way that I can. And I appreciate what you're doing, especially for for my community where we see half a million people on a weekend, for for, different festivals. And for that, I'll be in support.
Speaker 5
I just wanna appreciate the author for this bill. I was at Coachella this weekend, hence the teal hair. But it was a really good opportunity to actually see the infrastructure specifically related to how to keep folks safe. And looking at the command center, they talked about this bill. They talked about the importance of what they often see and how it's impacting them.
Speaker 10
And they specifically mentioned your name, and and it was, I think, really important to hear, to be a part of it, to see what was going on, to feel the experience, and to recognize how much it can become a safety concern if we don't do something. So really grateful that you brought this bill in. Looking forward
Speaker 4
Great to hear that I was a celebrity at the at the event. I love that. Second.
Speaker 10
Just a quick com comment regarding the opposition. It's not often that we get opposition that says, we're opposed to the bill because we want to be included. Yeah. But I but I definitely
Speaker 10
Yes. Right. I definitely appreciate it as I have all the well, two of the major theme parks in my district, but I do understand that that can happen at a separate or in a separate bill. And so I'll be supporting this bill. And I think the bill was moved or
Speaker 2
Elwari? Elwari. Great. And a second. Any other member questions or comments?
Miss McKenna, I wanna thank you for bringing forward AB twenty one thirteen. I think it's a common sense solution that, you know, it really satisfies a couple of issues. One and foremost, the safety concerns that we have for this unauthorized use when we have a large congregation for both especially for the attendees, but also for our law enforcement and the performers there as well. I agree. It's it's great when you are introducing a subject there a subject that, you know, we're thinking a little bit more broadly.
Obviously, a lot of our theme parks and a lot of other places sort of satisfy the same conditions. We've got a large congregation of the public, and we wanna think about the spaces as well. This may not be the right vehicle for that, but I'll leave it to your discretion to be able to have those conversations going forward and decide how to further that conversation if it's possible this year. But I also acknowledge as well as the we referenced in the Coachella example, it's not just a safety issue and everything. We also have increasing use of authorized drones as a part of a performance.
And so any conflict with those, could be disastrous. Certainly a big, safety issue in and of itself, but one that also would very be very disruptive to the, the the rights of that performance. So, appreciate you bringing this bill here, forward here today as I've done before in committee. I'm happy to support the, bill and would invite you to close.
Speaker 4
Yes. I will thank the, chair, the staff, and the mem the members of this committee. I will continue to work with opposition to get this bill right. We know we have to be safe and secure. We have all of our big major events coming up along with everything that we do every year like stagecoach.
I wanna I wanna get an invitation to go out there. I've been hearing that it's a really good event. And so we wanna make sure that that our folks are safe, safe and sound. And so with that, I'll ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
Speaker 3
E b twenty one thirteen, the motion is due passed to the assembly committee on appropriations. Ward? Aye. Ward, I. Lackey?
Elhawari? Aye. Elhawari, I. Jeff Gonzalez?
Speaker 3
Jeff Gonzalez, I. McKinnon? Aye. McKinnon, I. Ortega?
Aye. Ortega, I. Quirksilva? Aye. Quirksilva, I.
Valencia? Yes. Valencia, I. Zuber? And
Speaker 2
Thank you. Next, we have, mister Gabriel with item number two. He'll be presenting AB twenty four ninety two. And when you and your witnesses are situated, you may begin your presentation.
Speaker 7
Alright. Good, morning, mister chair and colleagues. I am pleased today to present a b twenty four ninety two, a measure that will ensure safety and security are prioritized when California hosts some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the twenty twenty seven Super Bowl and the twenty twenty eight Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. These events present a unique opportunity to boost our economy, generate millions in state and local tax revenue, and further strengthen California's global brand. At the same time, these events also require enhanced security coordination to ensure the safety of attendees, athletes, and our local communities.
Speaker 11
AB twenty four ninety two will accomplish this goal by establishing a framework for interagency coordination, ensuring that state and local agencies as well as host committees are aligned in their efforts to provide the highest level of security while also reducing the risk of human trafficking, racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. Ensuring the highest levels of coordination is appropriate given notable instances of violence at major international sporting events, including the attacks in New Orleans prior to the Sugar Bowl just last year. While we always hope for a safe and peaceful event, a b twenty four ninety two ensures that California is prepared for any incident, whether it be a natural disaster, a medical emergency, or a security threat so that we can deliver the best possible events on the global stage. This bill is supported by a coalition that includes Los Angeles Super Bowl host committee, the California Travel Association, the California Hotel and Lodging Association, and the California Police Chiefs Association. Very pleased to have with me today to testify in support of the bill, Amelia Zamani, on behalf of the California Travel Association.
Thank you and respectfully request an I vote.
Speaker 4
Good morning, chair and members. Thank you, assembly member Gabriel, for having me here again. As he said, I'm Amelia Zamani, the director of government affairs and public policy with the California Travel Association. Our members include destinations, lodging, attractions, and more across the state of California. Obviously, we have a lot of major events coming both this summer and in the future the subject of this bill.
Speaker 12
And these are more than just a sporting moment, obviously. It's a huge boon for our economic future, workforce development, and our international reputation. According to a recent US Travel Association survey about the World Cup coming this summer, one third of international visitors plan to stay more than two weeks compared with 9% of typical international travelers, and they spend more. International travelers for the World Cup are expected to spend 67% more than their last main vacation, and domestic travelers are going to matches outside of their home area are also expected to spend more. While the next few years will showcase everything we love about California, they will also bring increased increased scrutiny.
It's critical that with the world's eyes on California, we ensure the safety and security of our visitors, workers, and residents. According to the same US Travel Association survey I mentioned earlier, personal safety emerged as travelers' top concern, reflecting a shift in priorities and increased sensitivity to safety and US policies that influence travel decisions. This is unlikely to change before Super Bowl sixty one in winter twenty twenty seven or the Olympics and Paralympics in summer twenty twenty eight. This bill develops a framework for interagency coordination to ensure these international sporting events are safe for everyone involved and the only memories people leave California with are happy ones. The positive attention we garner from these games will hopefully result in many years of return visits from around the globe.
We respectfully request your, I vote for '27 2492. Sorry.
Speaker 2
Thank you very much. Are there any other members of the public, wishing to state a position of support? Are you seeing none? Are there any is anybody here to, offer a, opposition statement for presentation? Seeing none, any members of the public wishing to have a position of opposition?
Okay. Seeing none, we'll turn this back to a committee member. Questions and comments?
Speaker 2
And seconded by miss Quirksilva. Well, mister Gabriel, I wanna thank you for bringing this bill forward as well. Obviously, we have a lot of wonderful events coming up that are gonna be on the global stage when we think about the Super Bowl, the Olympic, and the Paralympic games. I think this requires the highest level of attention by the state to make sure that we are well coordinated between all the agencies that are responsible. I appreciate you've expanded this bill as well, not just include the event facilities themselves, but also the watch parties.
That's gonna be an opportunity for those that can't get ticketed for a game to also participate in the festivities and the liveliness that we have around these events, but importantly as well to really connect them to communities and make sure that we're highlighting the the broad fabric that we have here across the state of California. So I know this is gonna place us in a position as best as possible to be as secure as possible for these important events coming up, and I invite you to close.
Speaker 11
Yeah. Thank you very much, mister chair. Appreciate the very thoughtful comments. You know, we know that the eyes of the world are gonna be on Southern California and very specifically on miss McKinnon's district, so we wanna deliver the best possible product on the global stage. And with that, would respectfully request a nine vote.
Speaker 3
AB twenty four ninety two, the motion is due passed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. Ward? Aye. Ward, I. Lackey?
El Hawari? Jeff Hawari, I. Jeff Gonzales?
Speaker 3
Jeff Gonzales, I. McKinnar? Aye. McKinnar, aye. Ortega?
Aye. Ortega, aye. Quirk Silva? Aye. Quirk Silva, aye.
Valencia? Valencia, aye. Zburg?
Speaker 2
Alright. That bill has, seven votes as well, and, we'll hold to roll them for app to members.
Speaker 2
very much. Thank you. And we have our final author of the morning. Mister Haney is here to present item number three. Number excuse me.
Number two. This is AB twenty one thirty.
Speaker 2
And when you are ready, you may begin. Great. And I'm sorry, mister Haney. Also, if we could call mister Zabur and mister Lackey back to the committee room for closing out votes, I'd appreciate it at this time. Mister Haney.
Speaker 12
Thank you, mister chair members. I wanna thank the your staff for the work on this bill and accept the committee's amendments. As you recall, I'm sure, just a few years ago, we were able to expand the existing retirement fund, which was available for boxers to MMA fighters. And as a part of that, we made some commitments to find ways to put revenue into that fund so we can support these folks who put their bodies on the line for this sport, for for for their fans. And there are so many people in California who are fans of this sport, who attend these events, who watch them on TV, but there are also many, many thousands of fighters and aspiring fighters, folks who are want to be a part of this sport, who it's a growing sport.
Speaker 6
We now have, as you're here, a combat university here in Sacramento State. We are the biggest state for fights and for fighters, and we should find ways to support these folks, including when they finish fighting. That's what this bill would do. It will authorize the California State Athletic Commission to place sponsor logos on referee and official apparel at boxing and mixed martial arts events, which will help to create a new revenue stream, and this will allow us to support more of these folks. And it will also, be a practical and sustainable way to strengthen fire retirement benefits beyond what exists now, which is solely the the ticket prices, ticket sales.
With me to testify in support of the bill is Hector, Fallardo, director of operations at Combat U, and commissioner Chris Gruel from the California State Athletic Commission.
Speaker 9
Thank you all for your time this morning. My name is Hector Fajardo. I'm the director of operations for Sacramento State University and also a current MMA fighter in the state of California. I'd like to support this bill. It speaks to me in a sense that this allows companies to vest in a pension fund and put money into something that's gonna go back to the fighters that, I'm sure you've heard that as a combat sports, practitioner, you leave a piece of yourself in the ring or in the cage.
So I think this movement would be awesome to give a little bit back to the fighters who maybe they don't go to the top highest level of the sport, but they've spent their career in California give it, shedding their blood, sweat, and tears in California and getting a little bit back, which I think is wonderful, to support such fighters that have spent, their time in the state. It's also awesome because this bill also vets and, brings back, gives a little bit of a pension to fighters that have already spent that time, in California fighting, and I support this bill greatly, especially as, you know, serving over 500 students at Sacramento State University with aspirations, that wanna fight, that wanna pursue this, this sport, and knowing that California is leading the way and giving a little bit back, and there is something after you finish your career. Thank you.
Speaker 13
Thank you. Good morning, chairman Ward. I wanna thank you all for taking the time to consider this legislation. I think it's important, to note that California is not only the only state in the country, but the only location in the world that provides fighters with a retirement benefit. And for those who are able to access these funds, it can truly be life changing.
These are funds they've earned. And thanks to your support, when we extended those benefits to our mixed martial artist fighters, We don't have the funds right now to go back and honor those fighters, some of who are literally the folks who created the sport here in California. And this will go a long way for us helping us extend that dignity of a, retirement benefit to those fighters. In addition, some of these funds will be used to help train our ring professionals, make sure they also have the support, to do the good jobs they do. So thank you again for your time, and we look forward to your support.
Speaker 2
Great. Thank you. Are there any other members of the public here wishing to issue a statement of support or a position of support?
Speaker 11
Good morning. Tim Lynch on behalf of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and we're in support of the bill.
Speaker 2
Thank you. Are there any is there anybody here I have no opposition on file. Anybody wishing to offer a statement of opposition or state a position of opposition? Okay. Seeing none, we'll turn this back to committee member questions or comments.
And seeing none, do I have a motion?
Speaker 2
Moved the bill by mister, Gonzales and second by miss Oluwari. And, mister Heeney, I wanna thank you for bringing this bill here forward. While it's a niche issue, an important one, because you're rightfully recognizing, I think, a growing popularity, of, MMA and, boxing the opportunities for sponsorships for the athletic commission to be able to support fighters after they've really hung up their gloves. We wanna be make sure that we're using the revenue to enhance any programs already in place, without an impact to state funding. So that's a win win for all involved.
And these athletes, of course, recognize are an important aspect of California sports and entertainment industries for all these reasons. I'm happy to support your bill today and invite you to close.
Speaker 6
Thank you so much, chair, and and and thank you, for those amendments. And and, again, I should have underscored this. Does not rely on the state's general fund, will not increase ticket prices, and will not raise taxes. This is a win win. This is the fastest growing sport in the world, and we're the biggest state for it.
And if we can also be the best place for supporting these folks both when in the in the ring and when they're done fighting, That will also be something we can be very proud of. And with that respectfully ask for aye vote.
Speaker 2
Thank you, mister Haney, for accepting those amendments. Madam secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 3
E b twenty one thirty, the motion is due pass as amended to the assembly committee on appropriations. Ward?
Speaker 3
Jeff Gonzales, aye. McKinnar? Aye. McKinnar, aye. Ortega?
Aye. Ortega, aye. Quirksilva? Aye. Quirksilva, aye.
Valencia? Yes. Valencia, aye. Zuber? Aye.
Zuber, aye.
Speaker 2
That currently has a eight zero. We'll hold the roll of impressive members.
Speaker 2
Thank you, mister Haney. I think you if you had three votes, you are free to go. But we're gonna go back through the roll really quick to capture any absent members. Secretary, if you'd like to open the role on item number one.
Speaker 3
AB twenty one thirteen, the motion is due passed to assembly committee on appropriations. Lackey? Zuber? Aye. Zuber, aye.
Speaker 2
Current role is eight zero. Hold that roll open for absent members. Item number two, we just dispensed with, and item number three.
Speaker 3
AB twenty four ninety two, the motion is due passed the assembly committee on appropriations. Lackey, Zuber, Zuber, aye.
Speaker 8
That's current role is eight zero. We'll hold the roll open for absent members. Okay, ma'am. Secretary, we'll reopen the role on item number one.
Speaker 2
A b twenty one thirteen, Lackey. Oh, sorry. Do you pass to the assembly committee on appropriations? Lackey, I.
That bill is out nine zero. Item number two, a b twenty one thirty.
Speaker 3
A b twenty one thirty, the motion is due passed as amended to the assembly committee on appropriations. Lackey? Aye. Lackey, I.
Speaker 3
AB twenty four ninety two, motion is due passed to the assembly committee on appropriations. Lackey? Aye. Lackey,
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