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House committee backs bill to criminalize loitering drones over critical infrastructure, lets law enforcement disable devices
Summary
The Committee of the Whole recommended passage of Senate File 132 to make it a misdemeanor or felony to operate unmanned aircraft systems over specified critical infrastructure or to loiter with potentially nefarious intent; the bill includes exemptions and authorizes law enforcement and the governor to act to disable offending drones.
The House Committee of the Whole recommended passage of Senate File 132, a bill targeting unmanned aircraft systems that loiter over or photograph critical infrastructure and critical systems. The bill drew extended floor debate about enforcement, airspace jurisdiction and the proper effective date.
Representative Larson JT, a primary floor sponsor, told members the measure is a response to incidents reported by law enforcement and local infrastructure operators, including reports of large drones "the size of an SUV" loitering near plants and following law enforcement vehicles. The bill would…
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