Assembly Member Macedo's legislation elevates penalties for drone operations that interfere with fire-related emergency responses, transforming what is currently a misdemeanor into a felony offense under California law. The measure establishes prison terms of 16 months to three years and fines up to $10,000 for operating unmanned aerial vehicles at emergency scenes during fire incidents.

The bill maintains existing misdemeanor penalties for other forms of interference with emergency personnel, including physically going to emergency scenes to observe first responder activities or impeding lifeguards performing rescue duties. It preserves current law's broad definition of emergency situations, encompassing fires, explosions, airplane crashes, flooding, toxic spills, and other natural or human-caused events that pose risks to people or property.

Under the measure's administrative provisions, local agencies would not receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing the new felony classification, as the expenses fall under constitutional exemptions for changes to criminal penalties. The bill requires a majority vote for passage and would take effect immediately upon enactment.