ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
REPORT JUNE 2024 TO JUNE 2025, INCLUDING THE
ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AND RENEWING
A MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY WHICH WAS
ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 2022-03,
IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 481
WHEREAS, On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481) , relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481, codified at Sections 7070 through 7075 of Chapter
12.8 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the California Government Code, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicabl e governing body, b y adoption of a milit ary equipment use policy, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment; and
WHEREAS, the term “military equipment” is defined in California Government Code Section 7070(c); and
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2022, the Santa Maria City Council passed Ordinance No. 2022-03, which adopted a military equipment use policy in compliance with AB 481; and
WHEREAS, AB 481 also requires public agencies with military equipment use policies to prepare an annual military equipment report within one year of approval of the military equipment use policy and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use; and
WHEREAS, the City prepared an annual report (“Santa Maria Police Department Annual Military Equipment Use Report June 2024-June 2025”) that was submitted to the City Council and posted on the City’s website on April 30, 2025 , which is attached as Attachment A to th e Council Agenda Report and incorporated herein by reference. In addition, a community engagement meeting was held on May 28, 2025, wherein the public was invited to discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment repo rt and the Police Department’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment ; and
ATTACHMENT A
2 WHEREAS, AB 481 also requires the City Council to review its military equipment use policy annually and vote on whether to renew the policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. Based on the annual military equipment report submitted pursuant to Government Code Section 7072, the City Council finds that each type of military equipment identified in that report has complied with the standards of approval set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 7071, specifically:
A. The military equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety; and B. The military equipment use policy will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties; and
C. The equipment is reasonably cost-effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety; and D. Prior military equipment use complied with the policies in effect at the time.
SECTION 3. The Santa Maria Police Department Annual Military Equipment Use Report June 2024-June 2025 is hereby approved including the acquisition of additional equipment.
SECTION 4. Consistent with Government Code Section 7071(e)(1) , the City Council hereby ratifies and renews the Military Equipment Use Policy, which was adopted by Ordinance No. 2022-03.
SECTION 5. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance with the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
ATTACHMENT A
3 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of th e City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 3rd day of June 2025.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager