Senate Bill 2282 Summary

• Establishes the "Mississippi Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act of 2020" to regulate unmanned aircraft systems and define liability for their use.

• Creates tort and criminal liability for unmanned aircraft system operations while prohibiting prescriptive rights from repeated operation over private property.

• Preempts local governments from regulating nonrecreational unmanned aircraft systems, but exempts law enforcement and public agencies operating under Federal Aviation Administration rules.

• Grants emergency responders immunity from civil liability for damage caused by unmanned aircraft when reasonably believed to interfere with emergency services.

• Establishes criminal penalties including felony charges (3-15 years imprisonment and up to $25,000 fine) for sabotage or destruction of public agency unmanned aircraft systems, and amends stalking laws to include unmanned aircraft system use.