Governor Jerry Brown vetoes bill making many drone flights trespassing

Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill meant to rein in the use of drones over private property.

Brown said in a veto message Wednesday night that the measure goes too far in its restrictions.

The bill, SB142 by Santa Barbara Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, creates a trespassing crime for operating drones within 350 feet above private property without the consent of the property owner.

Brown’s statement says the act would be a crime “whether or not anyone’s privacy was violated by the flight.”

Brown says the bill is well-intentioned but could expose hobbyists and approved drone users to burdensome litigation and other legal trouble.

He says the issue of drones and privacy needs a more careful consideration than the bill allows for.