House adopts measure to give law enforcement tools to counter dangerous drones at large events

The Missouri House on the floor adopted a house committee substitute for House Bill 25 87, a public-safety measure to update state law on unmanned aircraft and give trained, authorized law enforcement clearer authority to respond to dangerous drone activity at large events and around critical infrastructure.

Sponsor Representative (gentleman from Platt) told colleagues the bill "updates Missouri law to address the very real and growing threat posed by unmanned aircraft, especially around large public gatherings and critical infrastructure" and said it "gives trained and authorized law enforcement officers clear legal authority to detect, track, and respond to dangerous drone activity and aligns Missouri law with existing federal authority while protecting legitimate, lawful drone use." The sponsor framed the measure as necessary ahead of high-profile events, citing the state will host FIFA World Cup matches this summer.

Members asked whether the bill would interfere with commercial drone operations regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. A questioner from Cape Girardeau said many delivery companies now use drones "and they're regulated by the FAA" and asked whether the bill would impact their businesses. The sponsor replied, "it shouldn't" and emphasized that law enforcement actions would still require reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

Some members pressed the sponsor about FAA authority and staffing, and whether state action could conflict with federal jurisdiction. The sponsor referenced the 2025 Safer Skies Act and said the practical limit on FAA enforcement capacity justified state-level tools to protect people on the ground. He described available tools as electronic means to take control of dangerous drones, saying, "we're not gonna be just shooting them out of the sky" but moving them to a safe location.

Lawmakers also raised privacy and residential-use concerns; the sponsor acknowledged those questions and said the committee narrowed the bill to focus on "large crowds, large gatherings, open air facilities" and not routine residential drone activity, leaving broader residential regulation for potential future work.

After floor questions and debate, the sponsor renewed his motion and the House adopted the committee substitute by voice vote and ordered the bill perfected and printed. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for the final adoption.

The bill as adopted will proceed through the legislative process for enrollment and further consideration in the Senate or conference as required.