HB 949: Aviation; prohibit launch or intentional landing of unmanned aircraft systems from or on agricultural land

Georgia law already limits local governments from regulating drones and bars flying drones near ticketed concerts or sporting events without permission. This bill rewrites that law, O.C.G.A. section 6-1-4, to add new protections for farmland. It defines 'agricultural land' as land used for growing crops, timber, livestock, poultry, dairy, or other farm products, as long as it is not zoned for a different use. It then makes it illegal to operate a drone over that land if doing so disturbs farming activity, applies any substance like a chemical spray to the soil, plants, or water without the landowner's or lessee's consent, or harasses livestock. It also clarifies that only 'local government units' as defined elsewhere in Georgia law can adopt certain drone ordinances. Anyone who knowingly violates the farmland rules or the existing ticketed-event drone rule would be guilty of a misdemeanor, the same penalty structure as before but now covering both situations.

• Creates a new legal definition of 'agricultural land' covering land used for crops, timber, livestock, poultry, dairy, or horticultural products, excluding land zoned for other uses.
• Makes it illegal to fly a drone over farmland if it disturbs farming activity, sprays or applies substances without the landowner's consent, or harasses livestock.
• Combines the penalty for this new farmland rule with the existing ticketed-event drone rule, making a knowing violation of either a misdemeanor.
• Narrows local government drone ordinances to those adopted by a defined 'local government unit,' referencing an existing Georgia code definition.
• Reorganizes and slightly rewords the existing exemptions for who can legally fly drones near ticketed entertainment events, such as property employees and utility workers.

Farmers and landowners whose property qualifies as agricultural land, drone operators and hobbyists, commercial drone pilots, local governments that regulate drone use, and property owners or employees affected by the existing ticketed entertainment event drone rules.

Farmers would gain a specific legal tool against drones that interfere with their crops, livestock, or spraying operations, something current Georgia law does not directly address. Drone operators would face criminal liability for flying over farmland in ways that cause these specific harms, even if they did not intend trespass.

• Adds a definition of 'agricultural land' to O.C.G.A. section 6-1-4, excluding land zoned for nonagricultural, nonconforming uses.
• Adds a definition of 'local government unit' by cross-reference to O.C.G.A. section 36-86-3, replacing prior references to counties, municipalities, or political subdivisions.
• New subsection (e) makes it unlawful to operate a drone over agricultural land if it disturbs farming, applies substances without consent, or harasses livestock.
• New subsection (f) sets the penalty: anyone who knowingly violates the ticketed-event rule in subsection (d) or the new farmland rule in subsection (e) is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• Retains and reworded existing exemptions letting property employees, utility workers, consenting parties, federally authorized operators, and private property owners fly drones under certain conditions.

1. 2026-02-19House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-18House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2026-02-12House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2026-01-14House Second Readers (House)
5. 2026-01-13House First Readers (House)
6. 2026-01-12House Hopper (House)

• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)Primary sponsor
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
• Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)
• Jutt Howard (R, HD-071)

• drone laws
• agriculture
• farmland protection
• aviation regulation
• property rights