CITY OF LATHROP - ORDINANCE PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP AMENDING LATHROP MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 9.20 TITLED "MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY", OF TITLE 9 "PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE" BY AMENDING SECTION 9.20.010 TITLED "DEFINITIONS" AND SECTION 9.20.050 TITLED "ACTIVE POLICIES" TO UPDATE EXISTING MILITARY USE POLICY NO. 706 TO REVISE SECTION 706.1.1 - DEFINITIONS, IN COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7070-7075, ASSEMBLY BILL 481 (CHIEU) WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law seven (7) major peace officer reform bills, including Assembly Bill (AB) 481 (codified in California Government Code Sections 7070- 7075), authored by Assembly Member David Chieu to address the funding, acquisition and use of items lawmakers deem to be considered military equipment; and WHEREAS, AB 481 seeks to provide transparency, oversight, and an opportunity for meaningful public input on decisions regarding whether and how military equipment is funded, acquired, or used; and WHEREAS, AB 481 required each law enforcement agency' s governing body to adopt a written military equipment use policy by ordinance in a public forum by April 30, 2022, to continue using this previously acquired military equipment, effective May 1, 2022; and WHEREAS, during that time the City of Lathrop was under the jurisdiction of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office, while working to transition into its own Police Department by July 1, 2022; and WHEREAS, in preparation for the transition, on June 13, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 22-436, to amend Title 9 "Public Peace and Welfare" of the Lathrop Municipal Code (LMC) by adding Chapter 9.20 titled "Military Equipment Use Policy" to establish a policy for the proper use, funding and acquisition of military style equipment as set forth by AB 481 in compliance with California Government Code Section 7071; and WHEREAS, Policy No. 706 authorized the new Lathrop Police Department to fund, acquire, and use thirty-five 5.56mm semiautomatic rifles and ammo, and eight 40mm launchers and rounds; and WHEREAS, on December 12, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 22- 441, to amend Chapter 9.20 titled "Military Equipment Use Policy", by adding Section 9.20.050 titled "Active Policies" to incorporate new Lathrop Police Department Policy No. 606, regulating "Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations", and formally codifying previously approved Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706, in the Lathrop Municipal Code, in compliance with California Government Code Section 7071; and WHEREAS, Policy No. 606 authorized the new Lathrop Police Department to fund, acquire, and use four (4) unmanned aerial systems (known as drones); and WHEREAS, on January 8, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 24-453, to amend Chapter 9.20 titled "Military Equipment Use Policy", to amend Section 9.20.050 titled "Active Policies" to update the existing Military Equipment List for Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706, by incorporating funding, acquisition, and use of new military equipment for the Lathrop Police Department, in compliance with California Government Code Sections 707-7075, Assembly Bill 481 (Chieu); and WHEREAS, on March 10, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 25-463, to amend Chapter 9.20 title "Military Equipment Use Policy", of Title 9 "Public Peace and Welfare" by amending Section 9.20.050 titled "Active Policies" to update existing military equipment lists for Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706, by incorporating funding, acquisition, and use of new military equipment for the Lathrop Police Department, in compliance with California Government Code Sections 7070-7075, Assembly Bill 481 (Chieu); and WHEREAS, staff requests that the City Council hold a public hearing to consider this proposed Ordinance to amend Lathrop Municipal Code Chapter 9.20 titled "Military Equipment Use Policy", of Title 9 "Public Peace and Welfare" by Amending Section 9.20.010 titled "Definitions" and Section 9.20.050 titled "Active Policies" to Update Existing Military Use Policy No. 706 to revise Section 706.1.1 - Definitions, in compliance with California Government Code Sections 7070-7075, Assembly Bill 481 (Chieu); and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lathrop, having received the information required under AB 481 regarding the proposed use of military equipment as defined in said law, deems it to be in the best interest of the City to approve and adopt the amended Military Equipment List for Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706; and WHEREAS, the amended Section 706.1.1 - Definitions will be incorporated by reference in LMC Section 9.20.0100 titled "Definitions"; and WHEREAS, the amended Military Equipment List for Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706 will be incorporated by reference in LMC Section 9.20.050 titled "Active Policies". The Ordinance was regularly introduced by the City Council at the Regular Meeting on March 9, 2026. A certified copy of the full text of the proposed Ordinance is posted in the Office of the City Clerk at 390 Towne Centre Drive, Lathrop, and is available for review upon request. The City Council will consider the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance during the City Council Regular Meeting on April 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall Council Chamber, 390 Towne Centre Drive, Lathrop, CA TERESA VARGAS - CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF LATHROP Publication Date: 3/27/2026 MB#03-92