Last Wednesday, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s SB 142, which would have created a 350-feet no-fly zone over residential properties and extended trespassing laws to drone operators.
The bill’s failure comes after the New York-based National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) encouraged Brown to reject SB 142 because it would have been difficult to comply with, difficult to enforce, and in conflict with existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules.
In a press release commending the Governor’s decision, NPPA said the bill also would have seriously threatened journalists’ abilities “to gather and disseminate the news to the public and the public’s right to receive the news.” NPPA said they are ready to work with government officials to “develop a common-sense approach to the use of drones” in California.