HB 1869 Summary

• Creates three new felony offenses for misuse of uncrewed aircraft: first degree (Class A felony), second degree (Class B felony), and third degree (Class C felony).

• First degree misuse includes equipping aircraft with weapons, interfering with manned aircraft, transporting contraband into prisons, and causing serious bodily injury.

• Second degree misuse includes disabling identification or anti-collision lighting, causing substantial bodily injury, and damaging property exceeding $20,000.

• Third degree misuse includes removing identification numbers, obstructing law enforcement, causing bodily injury, damaging property exceeding $750, operating while under the influence, and using aircraft in furtherance of felonies.

• Requires uncrewed aircraft to be directly operated by a human operator at all times; exempts law enforcement, corrections officers, fire personnel, and government agents acting in official capacity.