SB142 Passes The General Assembly, Which Severely Restricts UAV Flights Over Private Property

The California Assembly has passed SB 142, which would restrict UAS from flying below 350 feet over private property.

The FAA puts a 400 foot limit on how high a UAV may fly.

In a statement released following the passage of the bill, AUVSI president and CEO Brian Wynne said that the organization is "deeply disappointed with the passage of SB 142 in the California Assembly. While the industry supports the safe, non-intrusive use of UAS technology, SB 142 creates inconsistencies with federal law that has the potential to further confuse UAS users and stifle economic growth in California. The Supreme Court has ruled that property rights do not extend infinitely into the sky. Only the FAA can regulate airspace; states and municipalities can’t.

“A study by AUVSI estimates that in the first decade following UAS integration into the national airspace system, California’s economy will gain more than 18,100 jobs and more than $14 billion in economic impact. Under the right regulatory environment, there’s no question these numbers could go even higher. It is our hope that the California Senate and, if necessary, Governor Brown, will take this enormous potential into account and reject this restrictive legislation.

“The passage of SB 142 is further proof that it is necessary for the FAA to finalize its long awaited rules on small unmanned aircraft. There is much uncertainty about where operators should and shouldn’t fly and for what purpose. For the safety of our skies and to ensure that there is no confusion between state and federal law, we need Washington to make finalizing these rules a top priority.”

FMI: www.auvsi.org