HB 58: Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize

Georgia law already says cities and counties generally cannot pass their own rules regulating drones (called unmanned aircraft systems), leaving that mostly to the state and federal government. This bill adds a new statewide rule instead of leaving the gap open. It creates a new legal term, 'ticketed entertainment event,' meaning a music, sporting, or performing arts event held somewhere with gated entry or barriers where attendance requires a ticket or pass. The bill makes it illegal to fly a drone within 400 feet of or above one of these events without permission, punishable as a misdemeanor. It carves out exceptions for people who get consent from someone with authority over the event, drone operators following federal aviation rules, event or utility employees doing official work, and private property owners flying drones over their own land for noncommercial purposes. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Creates a new legal definition for 'ticketed entertainment event,' covering gated music, sports, or performing arts events requiring a ticket for entry.
• Makes it a misdemeanor crime to fly a drone (unmanned aircraft system) within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event without authorization.
• Exempts drone operators who have consent from someone with legal authority over the event.
• Exempts operators following federal aviation rules, event staff and utility employees doing official business, and private property owners flying noncommercial drones over their own land.
• Leaves in place the existing statewide rule that blocks most local drone ordinances, with the same limited exceptions as before.

Drone hobbyists and commercial drone operators, event venues and organizers hosting ticketed concerts, sporting events, or performing arts shows, utility company employees who use drones for work, and private property owners who fly drones over their own land.

Concertgoers and event organizers would gain a legal tool against drones hovering over crowds, addressing safety and privacy concerns at large gatherings. Drone operators, including hobbyists and businesses like photographers or utility inspectors, would need to understand the new 400-foot restriction and its exceptions to avoid a misdemeanor charge.

• Section 1 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 to add a definition of 'ticketed entertainment event' as a gated music, sports, or performing arts event requiring a ticket for entry.
• Section 1 adds new subsection (d)(1) making it unlawful to operate a drone within 400 feet of or above such an event.
• Section 1 adds (d)(2), classifying violations as a misdemeanor.
• Section 1 adds (d)(3) exceptions for consent from event authorities, federally authorized operations, event or utility employees on official business, and private landowners flying noncommercially over their own property.
• Section 1 keeps the existing preemption rule barring most local drone ordinances, while preserving prior exceptions for ordinances adopted before April 1, 2017 and ones enforcing FAA restrictions.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.

1. 2025-04-01Effective Date 2025-04-01
2. 2025-04-01Act 4
3. 2025-04-01House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-01House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senado)
6. 2025-03-27House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2025-03-21Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senado)
8. 2025-03-21Senate Third Read (Senado)

• Gary Richardson (R, HD-125)Patrocinador principal
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)
• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes21 de febrero de 2025

   153 a favor, 4 en contra (13 sin votar, 10 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #60

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado21 de marzo de 2025

   53 a favor, 2 en contra (0 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #267

3. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes27 de marzo de 2025

   162 a favor, 1 en contra (3 sin votar, 14 ausentes)

   Agree To Senate Sub As Am: House Vote #328

4. RechazadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2025

   12 a favor, 41 en contra (2 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #361

5. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2025

   54 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #362

• drone regulations
• event safety
• aviation law
• public gatherings
• misdemeanor penalties