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Committee advances bill to restrict drones near correctional facilities
Summary
The House Judiciary and Rules Committee voted unanimously to send H522 to the House floor after testimony that drones have been used to deliver contraband and that detection equipment logged more than 7,000 incursions near Idaho prisons. Sponsors said the measure narrowly targets airspace immediately around facilities and provides misdemeanor penalties.
Representative Ted Hill (R-District 14) told the House Judiciary and Rules Committee that House Bill 522 would create a restricted airspace around correctional facilities to help corrections staff and law enforcement address drone-borne contraband and safety threats. "This bill will allow the Department of Corrections or law enforcement to take reasonable measures against drones operating in a nefarious manner within a restricted air space around the correctional facility," Hill said during the hearing.
Chad Page, chief of Institutions and Operations for the Idaho Department of Correction, described the problem as "active and escalating," telling the committee that after deploying detection equipment IDOC has "detected just over 7,000 drones operating in or near our prisons." Page recounted a violent incident in which a drone-delivered cellphone was used to coordinate an escape and subsequent ambush of staff; he said the episode resulted in two community members killed and illustrated how drones have changed the threat landscape for corrections.
Industry and technical testimony described the tools available to detect and defeat drones but also the cost and practical limits. Dirk Manley of Boundary Creek Partners recommended a layered approach—"detect, track, identify, and defeat"—and said passive detection systems can range "from $100,000 to close to $500,000" depending on technology and site needs. Other witnesses warned about swarming and payload capacity and urged caution to avoid conflicting with Federal Aviation Administration authority where preemption applies.
After testimony and questions, Representative Scott moved to send H522 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor (15 yes, 0 no). The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
