Would Carry Punishments Of Up To Six Months In Prison And A $1,000 Fine

The New Jersey State Legislature has a bill under consideration that would make it a crime to operate a UAV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they're serious about it. Anyone convicted could faces a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

CNet reports that the law was to have been voted on last week, but that a major storm that raced up the coast dumped so much snow on the region that the vote was postponed until this week.

The bill states that "A person commits a disorderly persons offense if he operates an unmanned aircraft system while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, a narcotic, hallucinogenic, or habit-producing drug or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood."

CNet cites aviation attorney Jonathan Rupprecht, who says that operating a drone under the influence would likely fall under several sections of the federal drone regulations.

Newsweek reports that the assemblywoman who introduced the bill, Democrat Annette Quijano , released a statement in December saying that drones have become "increasingly disruptive" and that operators have caused "near-misses with airplanes." She also cited instances of interference with firefighting operations. “This bill sets specific guidelines for how New Jersey’s residents are able to utilize these devices to establish some order and help prevent these dangerous situations," she said in the statement.

The bill also states that a person operating a drone that “endangers the safety or security of a correctional facility” or “interferes with a first responder who is actively engaged in response” can be fined up to $10,000 and be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison.

FMI: Bill Text, Original Report, Original Report