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Committee advances bill to restrict drone recordings at ticketed events, sets 400-foot buffer and fines
Summary
House Bill 429 was reported favorably after debate over a 400-foot buffer for drones at ticketed events; supporters said the measure protects paid performances, while some members questioned the breadth of the 400-foot limit. Penalties include a fine up to $500 for a first offense; the classification for repeat violations was not specified on the record.
The House committee voted to report House Bill 429 favorably after discussion about restricting drone recordings at ticketed events. Representative Jackson moved to report the bill favorably with a second from Representative Stringer; the committee voted 'aye.'
Supporters and the bill presenter described the measure as intended to protect ticketed performances from being recorded and redistributed without payment. As one presenter put it on the record: "if it's a ticketed event where somebody paid $200 to go and watch this concert at the amphitheater, for instance, and if somebody's using their drone to kinda get a free concert, then that is not, that's not fair." (transcript excerpt). The presenter said the penalty for a first offense would be set at an officer's discretion up to $500 and that a second violation "would be a class" offense; the transcript does not specify which class or statutory designation that references.
Members raised concerns about the bill's 400-foot buffer. Representative Fiddler noted that 400 feet is a substantial distance — roughly a football field — and asked whether that breadth could end up affecting people not connected to the event. Representative Barnes asked whether ball games would be included; the presenter clarified that the bill covers "any music, sporting, or performance art event held in a location with aided entities or barriers that prevent access to the general public" where a ticket or license is required.
The committee's action advances HB 429 to the next stage of consideration. The transcript does not record precise vote tallies by name, whether a specific statutory class applies to a second violation, or the full text of any amendment.
