Larry Klein
Mayor
Linda Sell
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
June 4, 2025
T
he Honorable Aisha Wahab
California Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 8530
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: SB 701 (Wahab): Signal Jammers – SUPPORT
D
ear Senator Dr. Wahab:
O
n behalf of the City of Sunnyvale, we want to express our support of SB 701. This bill would criminalize the manufacturing, importing, marketing, purchasing, selling, or operation of signal jammers. Radio frequency jammers disrupt critical communications systems used by drones and first responders, as well as satellite navigation and landing systems relied upon by aircraft. Despite a federal ban, these devices remain readily available for purchase online on various commercial platforms.
B
ay Area cities have seen a rise in signal jammer used to interfere with emergency communications or facilitate crimes such as theft. This issue extends beyond the Bay Area, with malicious use of jammers reported nationwide.
M
ultiple incidents across the United States have demonstrated the severe risks of signal jammers, including canceled flights and compromised airline landings. Notable cases include a runway shutdown in Texas and GPS interference affecting aircraft 40 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth. While aviation industries work to strengthen systems against jamming and spoofing, SB 701 is critical to prohibit the sale and use of signal jammers, protecting California’s airports and residents from potential harm.
T
his bill aligns with the City of Sunnyvale’s General Plan, Chapter 6 – Goal SN-7, Policy SN-7.1. For these reasons, we support SB 701. Thank you for consideration of our position. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Ava Fanucchi, Interim Director of Public Safety, at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Attachment 5
The Honorable Aisha Wahab, State Senate
June 4, 2025
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
cc: Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Ava Fanucchi, Interim Director of Publi c Safety
Attachment 5