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FL H1121
Bill
Status
Passed
5/20/2025
Primary Sponsor
Judiciary Committee
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AI Summary
- Increases the criminal penalty for knowingly or willfully operating a drone over a critical infrastructure facility, allowing contact with such a facility, or interfering with its operations from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony
- Adds a new exception allowing drone operation over critical infrastructure facilities when the operation is for a commercial purpose authorized by and in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations
- Prohibits knowingly or willfully altering, possessing, or operating an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system whose hardware or software has been modified to defeat FAA remote identification requirements, punishable as a third-degree felony; an exception applies for persons authorized by the FAA administrator or Secretary of Defense
- Adds a new law enforcement exception permitting drone use to provide or maintain public safety for crowds of 50 or more people and to secure elected officials pursuant to s. 943.68
- Creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly violate drone surveillance prohibitions (first-degree misdemeanor), escalating to a third-degree felony if the unlawfully obtained surveillance is intentionally distributed; these penalties do not apply to state agencies, political subdivisions, or law enforcement acting in the course of employment
- Effective date is October 1, 2025
Legislative Description
Unmanned Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-29
5/20/2025
Committee Referrals
Judiciary3/21/2025
Criminal Justice Subcommittee3/5/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available