Honorable Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor, Senate Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1424 by Murphy (Relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over certain facilities or sports venues; creating a criminal offense.), Conference Committee Report
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code relating to the operation of unmanned aircraft. The bill would prohibit operating an unmanned aircraft over a correctional or detention facility operated by the federal, state, or local government.
The bill would prohibit the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a sports venue unless the actor was is a government or law enforcement entity, acting on behalf of a government or law enforcement entity, under the authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial purposes, or acting on behalf of the owner/operator of the facility.
The offense would be punishable by a Class B misdemeanor unless the actor had been convicted previous for the same offense then punishable by a Class A misdemeanor.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.