Would Restrict Flights Over Private Agricultural Land

A bill currently under consideration in the Oklahoma legislature would prevent drone flights over privately-held agricultural land without the written consent of the owner of that property.

The bill, proposed by State Sen. Casey Murdock (R), would make exceptions for drones that are operated by the state or federal governments, law enforcement, oil and gas companies, or are associated with a commercial operation authorized by the FAA.

Murdock told the Woodward News newspaper that he is primarily concerned about property rights and privacy. He said that it's really no different that a law that would prevent one neighbor from flying a drone over another person's back yard in a city, but in rural Oklahoma "our backyards are a little bigger."

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is monitoring the bill. That group's members contend that any drone flying below 250 feet is trespassing on private property, according to OFB president Rodd Moesel. He said that members are concerned about "peeping Toms" or potential thieves looking for something to steal. "When you live out in the country where a lot of these farms are, police could be many miles away," he said.

But Moesel also said that Farm Bureau members want to maximize the potential of drones in the agricultural arena. Drones are often used to check the health of crops, look for open gates where livestock may escape and locate lost animals.

From the drone community, Jamey Jacob, president of the Unmanned Systems Alliance of Oklahoma said in an email to the paper that he has not yet reviewed the legislation, but such bills generally tend to be "shortsighted since there isn't any real threat to either personal property or privacy, but a perceived one by those not familiar with the technology." Jacob added that all airspace is under the purview of the FAA.

The bill as proposed would not have any impact on property in cities or towns in Oklahoma, according to Murdock.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report