ORDINANCE NO. 25-0007
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
RENEWING A PREVIOUSLY A PPROVED MILITARY
EQUIPMENT USE POLICY PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY
BILL 481 AND GOVERNMENT CODE §7070, ET SEQ.
THE MANHATTAN BEACH CITY COUNCIL HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings and Purpose.
A. On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481, relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies.
B. Assembly Bill 481, codified in California Government Code §§ 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by an ordinance approving a “military equipment” use policy, at a regular meeting held pursuant to open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. AB 481 also requires that in seeking the approval of the governing body, a law enforcement agency shall submit a proposed mi litary equipment use policy to the governing body and make the policy available for public review on the law enforcement agency’s internet website at least 30 days prior to any public meeting concerning the proposed policy.
C. Assembly Bill 481 authorizes the governing body of a city to approve the funding, acquisition, and/or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it makes specified determinations.
D. Manhattan Beach Police Department Policy 703 (“Policy 703” or “Policy”), attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, was published on the Manhattan Beach Police Department’s public internet website on April 1, 2022. On May 17, 2022, Ordinance No. 22-0006 and Policy 703 were presented to City Council at a well-publicized and conveniently located City Council meeting, at which time the general public was provided an opportunity to discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report (“Annual Report”) and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
E. After providing the public with the opportunity to comment on the proposed Ordinance and Policy , the City Council found that the Military Equipment Use Policy , Policy 703, applies to military equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022, complies in all respects with the requirements of Government Code §7070(d) , and introduced Ordinance No. 22-0006.
F. After providing another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed Ordinance and Policy on June 7, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 22-0006, which incorporated the findings in Recital E.
G. California Government Code § 7071(e)(1) requires the City Council to vote on whether to renew the ordinance at a regular Council meeting held pursuant to the Brown Act.
H. On January 16, 2024, the City Council conducted another well -publicized and conveniently located City Council meeting, at which time the general public was provided an opportunity to discuss and ask questions regarding the Annual R eport and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
I. After providing another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed Ordinance and Policy on March 5, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 24-0001. and renewed the Policy.
J. The Policy, on the Manhattan Beach Police Department’s public internet website since April 1, 2022, has not been amended.
K. The City has not received any annual audit findings concerning any instances of non-compliance with the Policy.
L. On July 15, 2025, the City Council conducted yet another well -publicized and conveniently located City Council meeting, at which time the general public was provided an opportunity to discuss and ask questions regarding the Annual Report and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
M. After providing another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed Ordinance and Policy on August 4, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 25-0007. and renewed the Policy for a second time.
SECTION 2. Authority.
Ordinance No. 22- 0006, the first renewal in 2024, and this renewal, were adopted pursuant to AB 481, codified in Government Code §§7070 through 7075. These statutes provide for funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment for law enforcement agencies throughout the State of California.
SECTION 3. “Military Equipment” Defined.
A. “Military Equipment” is defined in Government Code §7070(c) as follows:
1. Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles.
2. Mine-resistant ambush- protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers. However, police versions of standard consumer vehicles are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
3. High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), commonly referred to as Humvees, two and one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached. However, unarmored all -
terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorized dirt bikes are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
4. Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants and utilize a tracked system instead of wheels for forward motion.
5. Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units.
6. Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind.
7. Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature.
However, items designed to remove a lock, such as bolt cutters, or a handheld ram designed to be operated by one person, are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
8. Firearms of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotguns are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
9. Ammunition of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotgun ammunition is specifically excluded from this subdivision.
10. Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including assault weapons as defined in Sections §30510 and §30515 of the Penal Code, with the exception of standard issue service weapons and ammunition of less than .50 caliber that are issued to officers, agents, or employees of a law enforcement agency or a state agency.
11. Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles.
12. “Flashbang” grenades and explosive breaching tools, “tear gas,” and “pepper balls,” excluding standard, service-issued handheld pepper spray.
13. Taser Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and the Long- Range Acoustic Device (LRAD).
14. The following projectile launch platforms and their associated munitions: 40mm projectile launchers, “bean bag,” rubber bullet, and specialty impact munition (SIM) weapons.
15. Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight.
16. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (o), “military equipment” does not include general equipment not designated as prohibited or controlled by the federal Defense Logistics Agency.
SECTION 4. Specific Policy Requirements.
A. Pursuant to Government Code §7070(d), the Policy addresses all the following:
1. A description of each type of military equipment, the quantity sought, its capabilities, expected lifespan, and product descriptions from the manufacturer of the military equipment.
2. The purposes and authorized uses for which the law enforcement agency or the state agency proposes to use each type of military equipment.
3. The fiscal impact of each type of military equipment, including the initial costs of obtaining the equipment and estimated annual costs of maintaining the equipment.
4. The legal and procedural rules that govern each authorized use.
5. The training, including any course required by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, that must be completed before any officer, agent, or employee of the law enforcement agency or the state agency is allowed to use each specific type of m ilitary equipment to ensure the full protection of the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties and full adherence to the military equipment use policy.
6. The mechanisms to ensure compliance with the military equipment use policy, including which independent persons or entities have oversight authority, and, if applicable, what legally enforceable sanctions are put in place for violations of the policy.
7. For a law enforcement agency, the procedures by which members of the public may register complaints or concerns or submit questions about the use of each specific type of military equipment, and how the law enforcement agency will ensure that each complaint, concern, or question receives a response in a timely manner.
Note: “Type” means each item that shares the same manufacturer model number.
SECTION 5. City Council Findings and De terminations (Government Code § 7071(d).
A. Based on the findings above, in addition to information provided to the public at the public meeting and in the Staff Report, the City Council hereby renews the following determinations:
1. The equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
2. The Policy will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
3. If purchasing the equipment, the equipment is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
4. Prior equipment use complied with the Policy that was in effect at the time, or if prior uses did not comply with the accompanying military use policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy nonconforming uses and ensure future compliance.
B. The City Council hereby : receives and files the Annual Report; (ii) and finds that each type of military equipment identified in the Annual Report has complied with the standards for approval set forth in Government Code § 7071(d).
C. Based on the findings and determinations in Subs ections A. 1 through 4 and Subsection B, above, the City Council hereby renews the Military Equipment Use Policy, Policy 703, attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated by reference herein , with additional equipment listed on “Assembly Bill 481 Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) Military Equipment List,” attached as Section 703.13 (Government Code § 7070 Inventory) of the Policy.
SECTION 6. Annual Report and Renewal.
A. Following adoption of this renewal Ordinance, the Manhattan Beach Police Department shall submit an annual report (“Annual Report”) for each type of military equipment approved by the City Council within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is in use. The Manhattan Beach Police Department shall also make the Annual Report publicly available on its internet website for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The Annual Report shall, at a minimum, include the following information for the immediately preceding calendar year for each type of military equipment:
1. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
2. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
3. The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
4. The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military equipment report.
5. The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
6. If the Department intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.
B. Upon receipt of the Annual R eport, City Council shall review this renewal Ordinance and current Policy during a hearing open to the public and determine whether to: further renew its approval of the Policy and authorization to use military equipment as set forth in this Ordinance; disapprove such renewal; or amend the Policy if it determines, based on the annual report that the equipment does not comply with the standards for
approval set forth in Government Code §7071(d)(1) . The Policy under review shall be posted on the Manhattan Beach Police Department website for at least 30 days prior to any public hearing concerning the Policy.
C. Within 30 days of submitt ing and publicly releasing the Annual R eport, the Manhattan Beach Police Department shall hold at least one well -publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting, at which the Department shall discuss the report and respond to public questions regarding the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
D. Pursuant to Government Code § 7071(a)(1) , any proposed military equipment policy must be approved by the City Council prior to engaging in any of the following:
1. Requesting military equipment made available pursuant to 10 USC § 2576a.
2. Seeking funds for military equipment, including but not limited to applying for A grant, soliciting or accepting private, local, state, or federal funds, in- kind donations, or other donations or transfers.
3. Acquiring military equipment either permanently or temporarily, including by borrowing or leasing.
4. Collaborating with another law enforcement agency in the deployment or other use of military equipment within the jurisdiction of this Department.
5. Using any new or existing military equipment for a purpose, in a manner, or by a person not previously approved by the City Council.
6. Soliciting or responding to a proposal for, or entering into an agreement with, any other person or entity to seek funds for, apply to receive, acquire, use, or collaborate in the use of military equipment.
7. Acquiring military equipment through any means not provided above.
SECTION 7. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordina nce. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and every section, subsection, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional or invalid.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause this Ordinance to be published within 15 days after its passage, in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code.
SECTION 9. This Ordinance shall go into effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the 31st day after its passage. Upon its effective date, Ordinance No. 24- 0001 is hereby repealed.
ADOPTED on August 5, 2025.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_________________________
DAVID LESSER
Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
LIZA TAMURA
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
QUINN M. BARROW
City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY
(See attached)