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DATE: MARCH 10, 2026
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: CARLOS ACOSTA, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: 2025 AB 481 ANNUAL REPORT AND RENEWAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 2657 RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 pertaining to military equipment funding, acquisition, and use.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481 or the Bill), codified in Government Code sections 7070 through 7075 requires a law enforcement agency to obtain approval from the applicable governing body, by adopting a military equipment use policy by ordinance, prior to taking certain actions related to the funding, acquisition, or use of “military equipment” as defined by the Bill. City Council adopted a military equipment use policy by Ordinance on August 23, 2022, and this requires annual renewal. As required by AB 481, the Salinas Police Department (SPD) is now presenting the 2025 AB 481 Annual Report and requesting the renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 to allow SPD to continue utilizing this necessary equipment.
BACKGROUND:
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 481 – Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, and Use into law. The Bill designated fifteen categories of police equipment items as military equipment. AB 481 required SPD to obtain approval from the City Council, by an ordinance adopting a military equipment policy, prior to any of the following activities:
Requesting military equipment made available pursuant to Section 2576a of Title 10 of the United States Code.
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.
Acquiring military equipment either permanently or temporarily, including by borrowing or leasing.
Collaborating with another law enforcement agency in the deployment or other use of military equipment within the city limits.
Using any new or existing military equipment for a purpose, in a manner, or by a person not previously approved by the City Council pursuant to this chapter.
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.
Acquiring military equipment through any means not identified above.
From January 1, 2022, forward, all new acquisitions of military equipment, as designated by AB 481, require approval by City Council.
Information about AB 481 – Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, and Use is available on the Department’s webpage and can be accessed at https://police.salinas.gov/assembly-bill-481/. The webpage contains the AB 481 defined list of police equipment deemed military equipment by numbered category and identifies each category of equipment SPD possesses. The webpage contains several links to additional information, including the full text of AB 481, the SPD Military Equipment policy, and the military equipment inventory currently in SPD’s possession. The webpage also contains a link to a webform where community members may ask questions, make comments, or voice concerns. Answers to those questions, and responses to the comments or concerns, are found by accessing another link. For those wishing to make a formal complaint, a link directs them to the complaint process webpage. SPD has and will continue to update this webpage as equipment inventory changes, and as usage and cost data is reported via the AB 481 Annual Reports. The webpage will remain accessible so long as military equipment is available for use.
On August 23, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2657 which added Article III to Chapter 27 of the Salinas Municipal Code pertaining to the military equipment use policy in compliance with Assembly Bill 481. Before adopting the Ordinance, the Council determined several factors:
The Military Equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and community member safety.
The proposed military equipment use policy will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
If purchasing additional equipment, it is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objectives of officer and community member safety.
Use of Military Equipment complied with the Policy that was in effect at the time of the use, or if prior uses did not comply with the Policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy non-conformance and ensure future compliance.
After adoption of the Ordinance, SPD is required to seek renewal of the Ordinance annually thereafter to continue using military equipment. SPD is required to submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use. SPD is also required to hold a community engagement meeting where the public may discuss and ask questions about the AB 481 Annual Report.
As required by AB 481, codified in Government Code § 7072(a), SPD is submitting the 2025 AB 481 Annual Report to City Council. The 2025 AB 481 Annual Report is posted on the SPD website and attached to this document. The report includes a summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use, a summary of complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment, information regarding violations of the military equipment use policy, the total annual cost for each type of military equipment, and the quantity possessed for each type of military equipment. For the calendar year 2025 period, there were no reported violations or complaints related to military equipment use.
As required by AB 481, codified in Government Code § 7072(b), after releasing the annual military equipment report SPD is required to hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting, at which the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report and SPD’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. The 2025 AB 481 Annual Report was released on January 28, 2026 via posting to the SPD website and corresponding announcements related to the release of the report and the associated Community Meeting were posted via the SPD Facebook and Instagram accounts. Information regarding the 2025 Annual Report and information related to the Community Meeting was also posted on the City website and released via GovDelivery (email/text). The AB 481 Community Meeting was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00pm at the City Council Rotunda. The Chief of Police presented a summary of the AB 481 Annual Report to the 11 members of the public in attendance. Several questions were asked regarding the equipment, related training, as well as need for repairs, replacements or upgrades. Members of the public also made comments indicating their appreciation of having the equipment available when needed, as well as appreciation of the community engagement activities which allow the public to see and better understand the equipment and usages.
As required by AB 481, codified in Government Code § 7071(e), City Council shall review any Ordinance at least annually and, subject to paragraph (2), vote on whether to renew the ordinance. The referenced paragraph (2) states the governing body shall determine, based on the annual military equipment report submitted pursuant to Section 7072, whether each type of military equipment identified in the report has complied with the standards for approval set forth in subdivision (d). The referenced subdivision (d) references the requirement that the use of military equipment complied with the Policy that was in effect at the time of the use, or if prior uses did not comply with the Policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy non-conformance and ensure future compliance.
SPD contends that the Ordinance, policy, and military equipment it possesses continues to meet all requirements set forth in AB 481 and has documented via the 2025 AB 481 Annual Report that there were no reported violations of the military equipment use policy. Given the information above, the department is requesting that City Council renew Ordinance No. 2657 as required by AB 481. The renewal of this Ordinance will allow SPD to continue using the vital equipment specified therein. Items deemed to be military equipment by AB 481 are used as a component of overall best practices for law enforcement agencies throughout the country. These tools have been utilized by SPD and other law enforcement agencies to enhance community and officer safety. Loss of these items would jeopardize the welfare of both our community and the peace officers within SPD.
The AB 481 Annual Report was presented to the Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) during the February 25, 2026, meeting. Committee members asked clarifying questions related to the annual costs and it was explained that the annual costs reported in the presentation represent repairs, maintenance and equipment-related training expenses. Full inventory and associated purchasing costs related to each equipment type are detailed in the Annual Report. Any purchase since the implementation of AB 481 requires City Council approval, and detailed purchasing information, including costs and timelines, are available in the City Council Report for each request. Committee members also asked if the Department seeks grant funding to support AB 481 equipment and we explained that we did and provided a few examples.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Renewing the Ordinance and authorizing the purchase of the requested AB 481 equipment will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department and Legal Department coordinated on the Ordinance and legal compliance with Assembly Bill 481.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Approving the renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 will have no direct fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund or other funding sources. Oversight, including administrative data collection and reporting, is completed by existing Salinas Police Department staff.
Fund
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ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Ordinance No. 2657
Assembly Bill 481
Presentation – 2025 AB 481 Annual Report
2025 AB 481 Annual Report
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