House Bill 429, Act 804 (2026)
- Intentionally flying a drone without permission within or over critical infrastructure that is fully fenced or enclosed, or over a marked restricted area of one, is now unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure.
- Critical infrastructure now includes oil and natural gas facilities and operations and public drinking water systems.
- The basic penalty is up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to $1,000, with higher penalties for repeat offenses and during a state of emergency. Done to intimidate or coerce, it is terrorism, punishable by 5 to 20 years at hard labor.
- In effect from August 1, 2026.
Ref House Bill 429, Act 804 (2026)
House Bill 155, Act 289 (2026)
- Adds the state capitol grounds to the places where flying a drone without written consent is unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system. The grounds include the Capitol, Capitol Annex and Gardens, Pentagon Barracks, Capitol Lake, A.Z. Young Park, and the Claiborne Building.
- A first offense carries a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 6 months. The law's existing exemptions, including for operators flying in compliance with federal law or FAA authorization, still apply.
- In effect from August 1, 2026.
Ref House Bill 155, Act 289 (2026)
House Bill 265, Act 424 (2026)
- Using a camera, or a drone carrying one, to observe, photograph, or film the body of a deceased person is now video voyeurism.
- Law enforcement on duty, funerals and memorials held with the family's consent, and bona fide news reporting are exempt.
- In effect from August 1, 2026.
Ref House Bill 265, Act 424 (2026)
Senate Bill 488, Act 521 (2026)
- Allows the Department of Education to run a School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program in one to four public schools, testing drones as part of school safety and emergency response plans.
- In effect from August 1, 2026. Reports to the legislature begin December 31, 2027.
Ref Senate Bill 488, Act 521 (2026)
Senate Bill 141 (2016)
Expands the definition of criminal trespassing to include the operation of UAS over immovable property with the intent to conduct surveillance without consent.
House Bill 635 (2016)
Adds the act of video voyeurism to the unlawful uses of a UAS. Video voyeurism pertains to capturing images or audio of persons for lewd purposes without their consent.
Senate Bill 183
Allows the use of UAS for agricultural commercial operations subject to regulations and licensing requirements. These operations include production and processing of crops, fish products, fowl, poultry, timber or forest products, or plants for sale.
House Bill 335
Each person operating a UAS for agricultural commercial operation shall obtain a license from the department and complete an agricultural education and safety training course administered by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service or the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center with a fee that does not exceed fifty dollars.
Senate Bill 73
Prohibits the intentional flying of drones across police cordons in a manner that obstructs the investigating officers. This also authorizes law enforcers or emergency responders to disable any drone that has the potential to endanger lives.
House Bill 19
- Prohibits the use of UAS to conduct surveillance or collect information on a targeted facility without the consent of the owner of the facility.
- Prohibits the operations of a UAS over the grounds of a state or local jail, prison, or other correctional facility.
House Bill 1029, RS 14:337
Identifies the unlawful use of UAS to include the conduct of surveillance on a targeted facility without the consent of the facility owner, and the operations of UAS over the grounds of a state or local jail, prison, or other correctional facility.
Ref House Bill 1029, RS 14:337
Senate Bill 69
This law pre-empts all local ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations relating to UAS operations
Louisiana State Pre-emptions
Louisiana State Legislature maintains pre-emption for all rules and regulations that concern recreational and commercial drone use.
