Agenda Item Wording:
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Review the Visalia Police Department AB 481 annual report and adopt Resolution 2026-53 - Conduct the annual public meeting required by Assembly Bill 481 to review the Visalia Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report, review Ordinance No. 2022-09 adopting the Military Equipment Use Policy, adopt Resolution 2026-53 renewing the Military Equipment Use Policy and approving the continued use of the equipment described in the AB 481 annual report.
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Agenda Date: 08/03/2026
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov;
Police Captain Dan Ford, 559-713-4151, daniel.ford@visalia.gov;
Police Lieutenant Osvaldo Dominguez, 559-713-4285, osvaldo.dominguez@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council conduct the annual public meeting required by Assembly Bill 481 to review the Visalia Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report, review Ordinance No 2022-09 adopting the Military Equipment Use Policy, adopt Resolution 2026-53 renewing the Military Equipment Use Policy and approving the continued use of the equipment described in the AB 481 annual report pursuant to Government Code § 7070 et seq.
Summary:
California Assembly Bill 481 (AB-481), the California Government Code (Gov. Code § 7070 et seq.), and Policy 708, requires that the Visalia Police Department submit an annual military equipment report to the legislative body, and for the Department to hold a public community engagement meeting, at which the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report, including the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. This agenda item serves as the annual public meeting required by AB 481, during which members of the public may provide comments and ask questions regarding the Department’s military equipment use and annual report.
In addition, the Government Code section 7071(e)(1) and (2) requires that the legislative body review the ordinance that adopted Policy 708 and vote on whether to renew it annually, along with reviewing whether the equipment identified in the annual report has been used appropriately and deciding whether to allow the continued use of the specified equipment. The City Council shall review the ordinance adopting the Visalia Police Department Policy 708 Military Equipment and vote on whether to renew the ordinance by resolution.
Background Discussion:
AB 481, approved on September 30, 2021, by Governor Gavin Newsom (codified as Chapter 12.8 of the California Government Code and commencing with section 7070 et seq.), requires that all local law enforcement agencies obtain approval from the applicable governing body (City Council) via the adoption of a “military equipment” use policy by ordinance prior to requesting, seeking funding, acquiring, and collaborating with other jurisdictions regarding the deployment and use of equipment identified in AB 481 as military equipment.
The term “military equipment” is defined in AB 481 and does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. Items deemed to be “military equipment” include but are not limited to unmanned aerial systems (UAS), armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, specialized firearms and ammunition, kinetic energy weapons and munitions, and noise-flash diversionary devices. Many of the items listed as “military equipment” by AB 481 are widely used by law enforcement agencies across the country as best practices to enhance community and officer safety. They are utilized in daily operations or in response to critical incidents.
The Visalia Police Department's Military Equipment Policy 708 adheres to California Government Code section 7070 et seq. with respect to the approval, acquisition, and reporting requirements of military equipment and is consistent with industry best practices. The Visalia Police Department has reviewed the deployment and use of the inventoried equipment during the reporting period and determined that it complied with applicable use policies in effect at the time.
The Applicable State Law and Policy 708 requires that the Visalia Police Department present an annual report regarding the use of military equipment in the previous year. The City Council is requested to review the report and determine whether the Police Department’s use of military equipment complies with the standards described above for approval. Thereafter, the City Council is to review Ordinance No. 2022-09 and vote on whether to renew it, as outlined in the attached resolution. State law requires that the annual report on the use of the specified equipment be reviewed and that the City Council decide whether the equipment has been used in compliance with the specified standards of use. If the City Council determines that the equipment has not been used according to the specified standards, then, under Government Code section 7071(e)(2), it may disapprove the authorization to utilize the specified equipment or require modifications to the equipment usage policy.
The 2026 Visalia Police Department AB 481 Annual Report was published on the City of Visalia website on June 24, 2026, at least 30 days prior to this public hearing. The webpage containing the applicable documents related to this ordinance and policy can be located at the following link:
<https://www.visalia.gov/511/Mandated-Disclosures>
The Visalia Police Department considers all use of the specified equipment to be in accordance with the specified standards, and the Department is seeking authorization to continue using all specified equipment under the currently approved Military Equipment Use Policy.
Note: The Visalia Police Department does not possess or utilize any military equipment procured from the United States Department of Defense through the Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
None.
Prior Council Action: Approved.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution 2026-53, a resolution renewing Ordinance No. 2022-09 which authorizes the Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 08/03/2026
Attachments: 2025 Visalia Police Department AB 481 Annual Report, PPT, Ordinance No. 2022-09, and Proposed Resolution 2026-53.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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