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Montana committee hears bill to make low-altitude drone flights over private property a trespass
Summary
Sen. Greg Hertz told the House Judiciary Committee his bill would criminalize flying a drone 200 feet or lower over another person’s residence or property without authorization, with narrow exceptions for government, FAA‑licensed operations, easements and emergency response. Opponents urged tighter limits and authentication safeguards.
Sen. Greg Hertz (District 7) told the House Judiciary Committee he is sponsoring a bill to address residents’ complaints about drones flying low over private property, saying the measure would make low-altitude incursions a crime and impose a $500 fine in some cases.
Hertz said the proposal draws a line at 200 feet: "So if we look at the bill page 1 line 12 that's where we talk about the 200 feet or lower over property of a resident or another person without authorization of the property owner or resident and a person's convicted of criminal trespassing with a $500 fine." He acknowledged the 200‑foot figure is an initial policy choice, not a technical boundary: "Is 200 feet the number? I don't know. But that was the recommendation…we…
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