Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize
HB 58 amends Georgia’s aviation laws to regulate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, and to limit local governments’ ability to impose their own restrictions. The bill broadly preempts county, municipal, and other local ordinances, resolutions, regulations, or policies that regulate the testing or operation of drones, while preserving certain existing local ordinances adopted on or before April 1, 2017, and allowing local governments to enforce FAA restrictions or control launches and landings on public property in limited circumstances.
The bill also creates a new offense for operating a drone within 400 feet of or above a “ticketed entertainment event,” defined to include music, sporting, or performing arts events held at gated or otherwise access-controlled venues. Violations are punishable as a misdemeanor. The bill includes exceptions for operators with consent from the event authority, operators acting under federal authorization, certain utility and property employees acting in official business, and private property owners operating their own drones over their own property under specified limits.
HB 58 changes state law by expanding state-level control over drone regulation and limiting local regulatory authority, while adding a new statewide criminal restriction on drone flights near ticketed entertainment events. It affects O.C.G.A. Title 6, Chapter 1, particularly Code Section 6-1-4, and it may impact local governments, drone operators, event organizers, utilities, and property owners. The bill also preserves some preexisting local ordinances and recognizes federal aviation rules, creating a layered regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft operations.
The bill appears to have broad overall support, passing the House and Senate with large majorities at multiple stages. The final votes show strong bipartisan approval in both chambers, suggesting general agreement with the goal of protecting public events and standardizing drone regulation at the state level. The Senate’s later vote on an amended version was unanimous, indicating that the final compromise was acceptable to most legislators.
The main point of contention is the balance between state preemption and local control. Local governments are largely stripped of authority to regulate drone testing and operations, except in narrow areas, which may concern municipalities and counties that want more flexibility to address local safety or privacy issues. Another potential concern is the breadth of the 400-foot restriction around ticketed entertainment events, though the bill’s exceptions for consent, federal authorization, utilities, and private property owners appear designed to reduce conflict. The Senate’s amendment process suggests some negotiation over the bill’s scope, even though final support was strong.