Would Set Statewide Policy Regulating The Aircraft

The Arizona Legislature is considering legislation that would set statewide regulations for the use of UAVs, and prevent local municipalities from creating their own drone laws.

SB 1449 introduced by State Senator John Kavanagh (R-Scottsdale) would ban UAV flight near certain private facilities or above private land unless the operator got permission from the property owner. The bill if passed into law would also prohibit local cities and municipalities from passing their own drone laws.

Cronkite News reports that the law would make moot laws such as the one passed in Paradise Valley, AZ which effectively limits non-commercials operators to flying in their own back yards, and which requires an event permit for operators flying in public spaces. Kavanagh said that his bill is intended to kill ones like Paradise Valley's. "In addition to being in total contradiction and violation of federal law, it’s way too restrictive,” Kavanagh said of the Paradise Valley ordinance. “They can’t control the flight patterns of drones. Federal law precludes local regulation of flight patterns or elevations,” he told Cronkite News.

The Phoenix City Council has also considered drafting a drone ordinance, but tabled the idea pending the outcome of the state legislation.

The bill was scheduled for discussion by the state Transportation Committee this week.

FMI: Bill Text http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/52leg/2r/bills/sb1449p.pdf