California Smacks Down Bill That Would’ve Limited Private Drone Flights

This week marked a win for fans of unmanned aerial vehicles : California governor Jerry BrownvetoedSenate Bill 142 , which would ’ve outlaw drone flying below 350 fundament over private property .

The broadside , aim by SenatorHannah - Beth Jackson , was introduced back inJanuary . Its end ? To make monotone flight above secret places ( like backyards ) illegal , just like trespassing is . It did not seek to limit monotone use in public areas , or in airspace 400 feet above earth , which are spaces that accrue under federal regulation .

But on Wednesday , in aletteraddressed to the California State Senate , Governor Brown posit he would not contract the bill into law . He save : “ This pecker … while well - intentioned , could expose the occasional hobbyist and FAA - approved commercial-grade user to burdensome litigation . ”

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While we ca n’t know precisely which scenarios Brown was thinking to avoid , it ’s not hard to come up with examples . conceive of if someone hauled you into court because — they take — a blow of wind momentarily blew your lagger straight off above their property .

Drone regulation has been a never - ending saga with no real signs of attain far - reaching solvent , and has been filled with wads of mixed content . For representative , if you discover a drone buzzing outside your bedroom window , you’re not within your rightsto attack it , since the FAA considers UAVs aircraft . ( That does n’t mean you could n’t call the bull , though . ) Meanwhile , amateur drone pilot have been crashing UAVs in a cattle farm of public place and landmark , from theUS Opento theWhite House .

The nixing of SB142 could reassure companies make drone , though . commercial-grade radio-controlled aircraft picture a recent victory , by the way : Last week , the FAAgranted permissionto a DC - base inauguration to take flight its fleet of 300 drones for agrarian and inquiry purposes .

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