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House backs bill letting responders neutralize drones that interfere with emergencies
Summary
Lawmakers passed a substituted HB 420 that allows police and firefighters limited authority and immunity to neutralize airborne or waterborne unmanned vehicles that interfere with emergency response, clarifies the measure does not alter FAA airspace rules, and passed the House 73–0.
Representative Lifferth framed HB 420 as an "extension" of existing criminal statutes prohibiting interference with public servants. "This bill ... will not allow you to interfere with police or firefighters with your drone during an acute emergency as defined in the bill," he said, and the measure provides immunity for officials who neutralize interfering unmanned vehicles in the most safe way possible.
The sponsor read a public safety example: a tweet from the Great Basin Geographic Area Coordinating Center about the Wheeler fire — "A drone was spotted over the #Wheeler fire. All aviation resources have been grounded due to safety concerns. If you fly, we can't." He said that interference grounded aviation resources and delayed firefighting operations.
Members asked whether the bill covers land-based autonomous vehicles or only airborne and waterborne craft; the sponsor and amendment language clarified it applies to airborne and waterborne unmanned vehicles and does not regulate land-based autonomous vehicles or change FAA rules. Representative Fosse asked whether authorities could immobilize an autonomous car; the sponsor replied the bill does not address land-based vehicles.
After adopting a substitute to incorporate industry language and clarifications, the House approved the substituted first substitute, 73–0. The bill as adopted grants limited authority to neutralize interfering drones during emergencies while explicitly preserving FAA airspace primacy and noting neutralization should use the least damaging means practicable.
The bill will proceed to the Senate for further action.
