AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: BRAD KENNEALLY
CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT:
title
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2024 MILITARY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL REPORT AND RENEWING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-06-1535
summary
Summary:
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 481, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, and added California Government Code Sections 7070 through 7075 relating to the funding, acquisition, and status and inventory of military equipment by local law enforcement agencies. The bill required law enforcement agencies seeking to fund or acquire new military equipment or continue use of any military equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022 to draft a military equipment use policy and obtain approval from its governing body via adoption of an ordinance. AB 481 also requires law enforcement agencies to present an annual report to their governing body on the status and inventory of the equipment. The City Council will consider adopting a resolution approving the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report and renewing Ordinance No. 2022-06-1535 in accordance with AB 481.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 2: Community Safety: Maintain community safety by supporting public safety services and increasing emergency preparedness.
recommendation
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2024 MILITARY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL REPORT AND RENEWING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-06-1535, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 481.
2. Renew Ordinance No. 2022-06-1535 in accordance with AB 481 and update the Exhibit to the existing Ordinance with the updated military equipment inventory information.
body
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Background:
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 481, which took effect on January 1, 2022, and added California Government Code Sections 7070 through 7075, relating to the funding, acquisition, and status and inventory of military equipment by local law enforcement agencies. The bill requires law enforcement agencies seeking to fund or acquire new military equipment or continue using any military equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022 to draft a military equipment use policy and obtain approval from its governing body through the adoption of an ordinance. At the June 28, 2022 City Council meeting, the City introduced Ordinance No. 2022-06-1535, adopting the Signal Hill Police Department Policy No. 709 - Military Equipment Policy; the City Council subsequently adopted the Ordinance on July 12, 2022 (Attachment A).
The annual report requirements under AB 481 include:
• Status and inventory of the equipment
• Complaint(s) or concern(s) regarding the status and inventory of the equipment
• Results of any internal audits on the status and inventory of the equipment
• Annual costs for the equipment
• Quantity possessed by the agency
• Intention to purchase additional equipment in the following year
Staff reviewed department records and determined there were no complaints or concerns raised regarding the use of the equipment in 2024. Additionally, the internal audit conducted by staff found no violations of Police Department Policy #706 or any other departmental policy. The Signal Hill Police Department published the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report on the City’s website on August 15, 2025 (Attachment B).
AB 481 further requires the governing body to, at least annually, review any ordinance it adopted concerning the funding, acquisition, or status and inventory of military equipment. Following this review, a vote is required to determine whether to renew the ordinance. Based on the outcome of this vote, the City Council has the authority to either renew or decline to renew the authorizing ordinance, disapprove authorization for equipment where standards have not been met, or require modifications to the policy governing the use of military equipment. These modifications are based on whether the equipment detailed within the annual report complies with policy and meets specified standards outlined in California Government Code Section 7071, subdivision (d).
Analysis:
AB 481 was introduced to enhance transparency and accountability for the funding, acquisition, and status and inventory of military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies. The legislation includes a broad definition of what constitutes military equipment, including items such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, commonly referred to as drones) that are regularly used in everyday society by members of the public and have been effectively deployed for many years by law enforcement agencies to respond to emerging threats, civil unrest, and mass casualty events.
Furthermore, several of the items defined as military equipment by the bill are not necessarily used by the military, but are less-than-lethal, standard-issue equipment for peace officers. While possession of such equipment does not warrant its use in common circumstances, this essential equipment is deployed based on situational necessity to effectively de-escalate intense situations or bring volatile conditions and critical incidents to a safe resolution.
In accordance with the annual requirements set forth in AB 481, the Police Department completed the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report. The Department currently possesses 9 types of items that fall under the military equipment classifications delineated in AB 481. The Police Department acquired the equipment either through City-approved annual budgets or grant funding. The availability of this equipment enables the Police Department to minimize risks to members of the community and officers during dynamic and unfolding high-risk incidents, maintain a state of readiness through continuous training and familiarity with such equipment, and strategically fulfill its mission to protect life and property. The annual report includes an inventory detailing each type of military equipment possessed by the Police Department and its quantity, authorized use, fiscal impact, and training requirements. The report also summarizes the usage of each type of equipment and complaints received regarding the equipment during calendar year 2024.
Staff proposes the City Council review the Resolution approving the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report and renew Ordinance No. 2022-06-1535 (Attachment C).
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Ordinance No. 2022-06-1535
B. 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report
C. 2025 Resolution Approving the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report
D. Signal Hill Police Department Policy 706