Aeronautics: meteorological towers.

(1) Existing law, the State Aeronautics Act, governs aeronautics in this state. One of the purposes of the act is to further and protect the public interest in aeronautics and aeronautical progress by fostering and promoting safety in aeronautics. This bill, until January 1, 2018, would require a meteorological tower, as defined, to be marked as prescribed if the tower is located on prime agricultural land, as defined, or is within one mile of prime agricultural land, and erected after January 1, 2013. The bill would authorize a local agency to incorporate the prescribed markings into any applicable land use permit the agency administers. The bill would prohibit these provisions from being construed as authorizing a local agency to require a new permit that applies to a meteorological tower. The bill also would require these provisions to supersede any conflicting local permitting requirements. Because any violation of the State Aeronautics Act is a crime and the provisions of the bill would be within the act, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.