Each week during the 2024 state sessions, this newsletter will provide updates on the legislative actions taking place in statehouses across the country.
About Drone Prepared and AAM Prepared: AUVSI’s Prepared initiatives work to ensure that states and localities are ready for the benefits that uncrewed and autonomous flight will bring to their communities.
- This week, there was one new measure, eight measures with committee activity, and one measure with floor activity.
- Ohio House Bill 450 – This measure prohibits voyeurism, criminal trespass, and aggravated criminal trespass through a UAV.
- California Assembly Bill 1969 – This measure passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. It includes UAS in the meaning of agriculture equipment for the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE).
- Connecticut House Bill 5205 – This measure was amended and passed the Joint Committee on Transportation. It defines vertiports and regulates them as airports and heliports, provides the CT airport authority with the regulatory oversight for UAS, and prohibits the operation of UAS under 250 feet of private property and critical infrastructure, with commercial operations exemptions.
- Connecticut Senate Bill 421 – This measure passed the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security. It develops a pilot program to provide law enforcement with UAVs.
- Georgia House Bill 988 – This measure was amended and passed the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. The amendment prohibits a political subdivision from using a UAS that is not approved.
- Hawaii Senate Bill 2081 – This measure was amended and passed the House Economic Development Committee. It establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics development program.
- Hawaii House Bill 1959 – This measure was amended and passed the Senate Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism committee. It appropriates funds for the establishment of one full-time position to assist the aerospace coordinator.
- Louisiana House Bill 167 – This measure was amended and passed the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. It requires the forfeiture of drones used for unlawful use.
- New Hampshire House Bill 1698 – This measure was amended and passed the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. It clarifies that notification is not required for application of pesticides by UAS if done under 20 feet.
- Louisiana House Bill 713 – This measure passed the House Committee on Commerce and the House by a unanimous vote. It clarifies that UAS design or services will not be affected when performed by a photogrammetrist/UAS professional.
- Maryland Senate Bill 273 – This measure is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on March 28th. It prohibits the operations of UAS over a correctional facility to intentionally photograph or capture images without consent and prohibits the delivery of contraband without UAS.
- March 25th: South Dakota Adjourns
- March 28th: Georgia Adjourns
- March 29th: Idaho Adjourns, Mississippi Crossover Deadline
