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Bill would ban drones over correctional facility perimeters, create misdemeanor and clarify interdiction powers
Summary
Representative Ted Hill presented RS33026, a redraft that limits drone restrictions to the perimeter of correctional facilities up to 400 feet and creates a misdemeanor; Hill said the FAA was consulted and the bill seeks to give correctional facilities authority to interdict drones in identified security zones. The committee voted to introduce the RS by voice vote.
Representative Ted Hill (District 14) told the committee RS33026 is a revision focused on drones flown in the security zone of correctional facilities. He said the bill narrows the area of coverage to the facility perimeter up to 400 feet rather than a one-mile radius and establishes a misdemeanor for violations. "After looking at some of the facilities, some are actually in urban areas, I couldn't have a 1 mile radius. It has to be right over the direct Directly over the perimeter of the correctional facility up to 400 feet," Hill said.
Hill said he had discussed the measure with FAA representatives and acknowledged concerns about airspace and federal preemption, but said the bill addresses correctional facilities specifically. The chair asked whether the bill would allow the Director to shoot down drones over identified security zones; Hill replied that in those security zones the authority would be granted but that there are separate rules on where interdiction is permissible. Heather Scott moved to introduce RS33026 for printing; the committee approved the introduction by a voice vote.
