Skydiving or sport parachuting operations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Blanca Rubio

Clarifies that skydiving operators must ensure tandem jump commanders and parachute riggers comply with federal parachute safety and certification laws.

From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

#skydivingorsportparachutingoperations

AB 999 Summary — Skydiving or sport parachuting operations

Overview and purpose

AB 999 proposes a nonsubstantive amendment to the Public Utilities Code to clarify the duty of owners and operators of skydiving or sport parachuting operations. The bill reiterates that, to the extent allowed by federal law, the parachutist in command of a tandem jump and the parachute rigger responsible for packing must comply with all federal laws relating to parachute safety and certification. It is described as a nonsubstantive change (i.e., it does not alter existing duties in a meaningful way beyond clarifying language).

Key provisions

Amended provision: Section 21709(a)

The owners and operators have a duty, to the extent allowed by federal law, to ensure that:
The parachutist in command of a tandem jump, and
The parachute rigger responsible for packing the parachute
are in compliance with all federal laws relating to parachute safety and certification.

Section 21709(b)

The section “shall not decrease any legal duties.” This reinforces that the change does not lessen existing obligations.

What changes (in practical terms)

The bill does not create new duties or penalties. It clarifies the scope and phrasing of existing duties to align with federal law.

It emphasizes compliance with federal safety and certification laws for key personnel involved in tandem skydives.

Who would be affected

Owners and operators of skydiving or sport parachuting operations in California.

Parachutists in command of tandem jumps.

Parachute riggers responsible for packing parachutes.

The change interfaces with federal parachute safety and certification requirements, but does not expand or reduce duties beyond clarification.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 20, 2025.

From printer: February 21, 2025; eligible for committee hearing.

May be heard in committee: March 23 (as noted in the bill’s status).

Legislative actions indicate no appropriation required (no fiscal impact), and no specific fiscal committee involvement.

Fiscal and policy context

Digest indicates a MAJORITY vote requirement; no appropriation or fiscal committee involvement.

Classified as a bill affecting skydiving/sport parachuting operations with a nonsubstantive change, intended to clarify existing duties rather than alter policy or funding.

Bottom line

AB 999 is a targeted, non-substantive clarification of the duty of skydiving operators to ensure tandem jump commanders and parachute riggers comply with federal parachute safety and certification laws, without changing the substantive duties or creating new costs.