Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drone Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Representative Gary Richardson’s drone bill for ticketed events draws committee questions over scope and exceptions
Summary
House Bill 58, which would restrict drone flights over ticketed, gated events in Georgia, was presented to the Senate Rules Committee; sponsors said the measure targets nuisance and privacy concerns and includes several exceptions. Committee members asked about the bill’s scope, exceptions and enforcement.
Representative Gary Richardson, sponsor of House Bill 58, told the Senate Rules standing committee on March 20 that the bill addresses drone operations over paid, ticketed and gated gatherings and is designed to reduce nuisance and privacy disruptions.
"This is for HB58, and it's a bill that addresses drone use over mass gatherings, ticketed and gated venues," Representative Gary Richardson said when he presented the measure. He told the committee the bill includes several exceptions.
Why it matters: HB58 would create a specific prohibition for drone flights over certain mass gatherings, a policy that intersects with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and raises questions about privacy, public safety and enforcement at sporting events, concerts and other ticketed venues.
Committee questions focused on exceptions and intent. Senator Robertson asked whether the bill allows any lawful drone flights over events; Richardson replied, "There are there are are some exceptions. There there are several, exceptions in the bill." Robertson also asked the sponsor to state the bill's intent; Richardson said, "This intent, it keeps, it's it it reduces nuisance and, privacy issues over paid ticketed events, disruption."
Senator Dolezal asked if the sponsor would accept a friendly amendment; Richardson declined, saying he preferred to keep the bill "intact the way it is." Chairman Beach (committee chair, recognized in prior committee work) and other members pressed for clarity about whether the measure would permit drones in certain emergency or official capacities; Richardson said the bill contains exceptions but did not enumerate them during the Rules floor presentation.
A colloquy raised unusual side questions: Senator Robertson asked whether drones in the sponsor’s area are "Chinese drones;" Richardson said they were currently Chinese-made but suggested the supplier mix could change in the future. Senator Lee Anderson asked whether the prohibition would apply to a personal drone flown into a neighbor's yard; Richardson answered, "No, sir. That wouldn't be a ticketed event."
No amendments were adopted on the floor presentation. The committee later included HB58 in a group of House bills that it moved forward by unanimous vote at the end of the meeting.
Ending: The bill will proceed according to the committee referral and calendar process; additional details about the bill’s exceptions, enforcement mechanism and alignment with FAA rules will be relevant in subsequent committee hearings or floor debate.
