Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3025
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8]
Introduced: 2015-07-10
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Forests, forestry, trees
Latest action: action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-07-10
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015</strong></p> <p>Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly launching a drone near a wildfire threatening U.S. property that recklessly interferes with fighting the fire.</p> <p>Makes it a defense to a prosecution for such offense that the drone was launched by a firefighter or other public safety officer acting in the course of official duty.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3025 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 10, 2015 Mr. Cook introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a criminal penalty for launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015 . 2. Launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property (a) In general Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1370. Launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property (a) Offense Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly launches a drone in a place near a wildfire that threatens the real or personal property of the United States, or of any department or agency thereof, and is reckless as to whether that drone will interfere with fighting the fire, if the drone does interfere with that firefighting, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (b) Defense It is a defense to a prosecution for an offense under this section that the drone was launched by a firefighter or other public safety officer acting in the course of official duty. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 1370. Launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property. .