Use of unmanned aircraft to trespass; penalty. (HB538)

Introduced By

Del. Randy Minchew (R-Leesburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Use of unmanned aircraft to trespass; penalty. Provides that a locality may by ordinance prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft to trespass upon the property of others within its boundaries. Such ordinance may provide that landowners may exclude such aircraft from a column of airspace extending from the surface of their land up to 350 feet above ground level. A person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor if he operates such aircraft in violation of the ordinance. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2016Committee
01/09/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16103835D
01/09/2016Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/14/2016Assigned to sub: Subcommittee Criminal Law
01/14/2016Assigned App. sub: Subcommittee Criminal Law
01/14/2016Assigned Courts sub:
01/27/2016Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/16/2016Left in Courts of Justice

Comments

Waldo Jaquith writes:

Note that FAA regulations permit UAVs to operate at up to 500 feet, so this law permits 150 feet in which UAVs may transit private property.

Rebecca Smith writes:

Vote No

Governmental agencies need to monitor our country, land, and waters for security purposes. We cannot close our eyes to dangers our country face by terror plots and unlawful acts. We cannot have things the way we want them to be without sacrificing the safety of all.

ACLU-VA Privacy Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of VA is monitoring the bill.