Supervisor Melgar moves to send airport surveillance policy back to committee amid privacy and labor concerns

Supervisor Melgar asked the board to refer an ordinance governing airport surveillance technology and the use of transportation-network-company virtual queue systems back to committee for more public vetting.

"I am gonna ask that we send this back to committee so that we can thoroughly vet it and then hear from everyone," Melgar said, citing questions raised by industry and labor about privacy and the policy's real-world impact on drivers, many of whom are immigrants.

Melgar told colleagues she had sat in for a GAO subcommittee hearing and voted to pass the item there but has since heard new concerns from industry and labor that she wants the city to address in committee. She said earlier hearings drew little public attendance and urged a fuller public vetting so affected people can ask questions and staff can provide answers.

President Mandelmann noted the motion and the clerk confirmed that Supervisor Walton seconded it. The chair called the same-house vote and, without objection, the board approved referral of the airport surveillance ordinance back to committee.

Why it matters: the policy would govern use of virtual queue and other surveillance tools at the airport, touching on privacy and labor protections. Melgar raised potential consequences for drivers and vulnerable workers and emphasized allowing community members to participate in committee-level hearings.

What happens next: the item will return to committee for additional hearings and stakeholder briefings, where the board expects to hear from industry representatives, labor, privacy advocates, and members of the public before another Board vote.