Assembly Bill 481 Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, and Use Policy

Assembly Bill 481 Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, and Use Policy

On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 481 to address the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment.

AB 481 Definition of Military Equipment

The Assembly Bill has designated certain types of law enforcement equipment as "military equipment." The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office has equipment that meets the criteria, including:

· Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle

· Non-Armored Humvee Ambulance

· Light Tactical Vehicle

Requirements of AB 481

AB 481 requires each law enforcement agency's governing body to adopt a written military use policy by ordinance in a public forum by April 30, 2022, in order to continue the use of this previously acquired equipment effective May 1, 2022. To help guide this process, see the following required materials:

· Lexipol Policy 707 is available to view. The AB 481 defined list of military equipment currently in the Modoc County Sheriff’s possession is included in the approved policy.

· Establish a concern or complaint process. To report Use the report concerns, complaints, or questions specific to AB 481, you can email us directly at AB481@modocsheriff.us

Prepare an Annual Report to include the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of Modoc County Sheriff’s Office Lexipol Policy 707, the cost of such use and other similar information. This webpage will be utilized for distribution of any updates to the above materials as well as for the Annual Report. The first Annual Report will be distributed on or around March 2023.

Note: The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office has acquired one Non-Armored Humvee and one MRAP from the United States Department of Defense through the Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program). We also acquired one Light Tactical Vehicle from another law enforcement agency.

Public Input Regarding AB 481

The Modoc County Sheriff's Office will hold a public forum to provide input regarding AB 481 in March 2023. The specific date will be announced in coming weeks.

Meeting topics will include:

· Purpose of the new legislation;

· Definition of military equipment;

· Modoc County Sheriff's Office military equipment inventory;

· Modoc County Sheriff's Office proposed equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy;

· Pending annual report requirement;

· Community engagement and public access to materials.