HB507 - Alabama Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

• Creates the Alabama Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to prohibit unmanned aircraft systems from flying over designated facilities (petroleum refineries, chemical plants, power generation facilities, water treatment facilities, ports, and critical infrastructure) without written owner consent; violations are Class B misdemeanor for first offense and Class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.

• Prohibits sale, transport, manufacture, possession, or operation of unmanned aircraft systems equipped with weapons designed to cause serious bodily injury or death, punishable as a Class A misdemeanor.

• Restricts government agencies from using unmanned aircraft systems to gather evidence except with search warrants, reasonable suspicion for emergency situations, or for surveillance in plain view and public events; evidence obtained in violation is inadmissible in state court and images must be destroyed.

• Allows designated facility owners to recover $5,000 per unlawfully captured photograph or video plus court costs and attorney's fees through civil action, and permits injunctive relief.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.