BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2299

By: Powell

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure facilities, such as military installations. It has been suggested that the current scope of the offense for such operation does not adequately prohibit the operation of these aircraft over or near a military installation. S.B. 2299 seeks to address this issue by including a military installation among the critical infrastructure facilities over which the operation of an unmanned aircraft constitutes an offense.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2299 amends the Government Code to include a military installation owned or operated by or for the federal government, the state, or another governmental entity among the critical infrastructure facilities over or near which certain operation of an unmanned aircraft constitutes an offense.       

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.