Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1138
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8]
Introduced: 2017-02-16
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Forests, forestry, trees
Latest action: action_date: 2017-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-02-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly or recklessly operate an unmanned aircraft that interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort.</p> <p>It imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both&#8212;on a violator. </p> <p>The prohibition does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft by the government to protect public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1138 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 16, 2017 Mr. Cook (for himself, Mr. Royce of California , Ms. Brownley of California , and Mr. Aguilar ) 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 2017 . 2. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft (a) In general Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1370. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft (a) Offense Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and in so doing knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (b) Exceptions This section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response. (c) Definitions In this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Wildfire The term wildfire has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1856m ). (2) Wildfire suppression The term wildfire suppression means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire. . (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. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft. .