USE OF DRONES IN HUNTING:

PROHIBIT CERTAIN ACTIVITIES

Senate Bill 926 (S-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Tom Casperson

Senate Bill 927 (S-1)

Sponsor: Sen. Phil Pavlov

House Committee:  Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Complete to 12-1-14

A REVISED SUMMARY OF SENATE BILLS 926 & 927 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

Senate Bills 926 and 927 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to (1) prohibit an individual from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to interfere with or harass another individual who is engaged in the process of lawfully taking an animal, and (2) prohibit an individual from taking game using a UAV. 

 Senate Bill 926 would define unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as an unmanned vehicle or device that uses aerodynamic forces to achieve flight. The bill would then prohibit an individual from using such a vehicle to interfere with or harass another individual who is engaged in the process of lawfully taking an animal.

The penalty for violating this provision is already contained in the law. A violator would guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days and/or a fine of not less than $500, plus the costs of prosecution. Subsequent violations are misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year and/or a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,500, plus the costs of prosecution.

Senate Bill 927 would prohibit an individual from taking game using a UAV.

The two bills are tie-barred, meaning that neither can take effect unless both are enacted.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill adds a new misdemeanor. Misdemeanor convictions would increase costs related to county jails and/or local misdemeanor probation supervision.  The costs of local incarceration in a county jail and local misdemeanor probation supervision vary by jurisdiction.  Misdemeanor fines go to public libraries.  Otherwise, Senate Bills 926 and 927 would have no fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources or local governments.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.