by Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat News Service
Drones would be subject to more restrictions under a couple of pieces of legislation that passed the Georgia House of Representatives Friday.
House Bill 58 would prohibit flights over public gatherings. It would require that drones stay at least 400 feet from the airspace of ticketed entertainment events, unless they are being used for an authorized official purpose.
House Bill 205 seeks to address national security by banning official use of certain drones due to concerns about data security. The measure is aimed at China.
Rep. David Clark, R-Buford, said nine out of 10 drones are manufactured by two companies in that nation and that those companies must share any data they acquire with the Chinese government.
“This legislation does not ban drones outright,” he said. “Instead, it ensures that drones used by our government agencies can be rendered safe from foreign interference. And the key requirement is simple: drones must not be capable of transmitting data to unauthorized parties.”
Fellow lawmakers spoke favorably of the bill. Among their concerns were the risk of using drones to spy on military bases absent this proposed regulation.
Local and state governments would be encouraged to acquire drones from a list that the state would develop, based on Federal Aviation Administration standards and clearance by the U.S. Department of Defense.
But the compliance would cease to be voluntary in three years, which, Clark said, is the average lifespan of a drone.
Starting Jan. 1, 2028, officials in Georgia would have to acquire drones only on the state’s safe list, which would be updated semiannually.
Both bills passed with bipartisan support, with only four votes against HB 58 and one against HB 205. They now head to the state Senate.
