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Subcommittee advances bill banning shining lasers into eyes of motorists, pilots
Summary
House Bill 191 would make shining lasers into motorists', boaters' or aircraft operators' eyes a Class B misdemeanor; the subcommittee voted to send the bill to the full judiciary committee.
House Bill 191, introduced by Leader Lambert and amended in subcommittee to expand the list of covered vehicles to include "automobile, boat, aircraft, or other motor vehicle," passed the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and will be considered by the full House Judiciary Committee.
Leader Lambert told the committee the bill addresses high-powered laser beams being pointed at aircraft, law-enforcement officers and motorists. "There's just no time when anybody should be shining a laser beam into someone's eyes that's operating a motor vehicle," Lambert said. The amendment changed the term "airplane" to "aircraft" to explicitly capture helicopters and other types of aircraft.
Members noted the safety risks to pilots and drivers; Representative Powell said he has heard from pilots who have experienced lasers aimed at aircraft. The sponsor described the offense as a Class B misdemeanor; the committee recorded no subcommittee amendments beyond the clerical amendment introduced on the floor. The clerk announced the ayes prevailed and House Bill 191 will move to the full House Judiciary Committee.
