House Bill 1280 (2026)
- Flying a drone over the grounds of a prison, jail, juvenile detention facility, or military facility without the administrator's express permission is now a Class 6 felony. It was a Class 1 misdemeanor under Senate Bill 80 (2017).
- Law enforcement officers may use mitigation techniques and counter-drone measures against a drone flying in violation of this law.
- The Department of Public Safety may set rules on which counter-drone measures are allowed and run training for officers.
- Signed March 12, 2026 (SL 2026, ch. 192). In effect from July 1, 2026.
Senate Bill 80 (2017)
- Modifies the illegal surveillance crime to include the use of drones to spy on people in places where there is reasonable expectation of privacy.
- Prohibits landing of drones on private property without consent.
- Classifies the act of flying drones over military and correctional facilities as a Class 1 misdemeanor (raised to a Class 6 felony from July 1, 2026, by House Bill 1280) and the act of transporting and delivering contraband to correctional facilities as a Class 6 felony.
Senate Bill 22 (2017)
Exempts drones that weigh less than 55 lbs. / 25 kg. from aircraft registration requirements.
