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Senate approves second substitute to HB 126, tightening drone restrictions near wildfires and adding preemption language
Summary
Lawmakers approved a substituted HB 126 that bars flying drones within three miles of fires without coordination with the incident commander and adds state preemption language intended to align state law with FAA rules; some senators voiced concern about local authority and rapid response for no‑fly coordination.
The Utah Senate passed a second substitute to House Bill 126, a measure that makes it illegal to operate an unmanned aircraft within a three‑mile radius of a fire without coordinating with the incident commander and increases penalties in cases of interference. The substitute also adds language intended to preempt conflicting local ordinances and to make the statute compatible with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules.
The sponsor framed the bill as a targeted safety measure prompted…
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