Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB58 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	25 HB 58/AP
2		-	House Bill 58 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
3		-	By: Representatives Richardson of the 125
4		-	th
5		-	, Leverett of the 123
6		-	rd
7		-	, Thomas of the 21
8		-	st
9		-	, Clifton
10		-	of the 131
11		-	st
12		-	, Crowe of the 118
13		-	th
14		-	, and others
	1	+	25 LC 39 4747S
	2	+	The Senate Committee on Transportation offered the following
	3	+	substitute to HB 58:
15	4		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	5		AN ACT
17		-	To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general
18		-	1
	6	+	To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general1
19	7		provisions relative to aviation, so as to prohibit certain actions by operators of unmanned2
20	8		aircraft systems; to provide for a penalty; to provide for applicability; to provide for3
21	9		definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal4
22	10		conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
23	11		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
24	12		SECTION 1.7
25	13		Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions8
26	14		relative to aviation, is amended by revising Code Section 6-1-4, relating to unmanned aircraft9
27	15		system defined, preemption for unmanned aircraft systems, and operations, as follows:10
28	16		"6-1-4.11
29		-	(a)(1)
30		-	As used in this Code section, the term 'unmanned:12
	17	+	(a)(1) As used in this Code section, the term 'unmanned:12
31	18		(1) 'Ticketed entertainment event' means any music, sporting, or performing arts event13
32	19		held in a location with gated entries or barriers that prevent access to the general public14
33	20		and in which a revocable license that has been issued by an owner, operator, or lessee of15
34	21		such property is required for attendance at such event.16
35		-	H. B. 58
36		-	- 1 - 25 HB 58/AP
	22	+	- 1 - 25 LC 39 4747S
37	23		(2) 'Unmanned aircraft system' means a:17
38	24		(A) A powered, aerial vehicle that:18
39	25		(A)(i) Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of19
40	26		direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft;20
41	27		(B)(ii) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;21
42	28		(C)(iii) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and22
43	29		(D)(iv) Can be expendable or recoverable.; and23
44	30		(2)(B) Such term shall not include a satellite.24
45	31		(b) Any ordinance, resolution, regulation, or policy of any county, municipality, or other25
46	32		political subdivision of this state regulating the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft26
47	33		systems shall be deemed preempted and shall be null, void, and of no force and effect;27
48	34		provided, however, that a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state28
49	35		may:29
50	36		(1) Enforce any ordinance that was adopted on or before April 1, 2017;30
51	37		(2) Adopt an ordinance that enforces Federal Aviation Administration restrictions; or31
52	38		(3) Adopt an ordinance that provides for or prohibits the launch or intentional landing32
53	39		of an unmanned aircraft system from or on its public property except with respect to the33
54	40		operation of an unmanned aircraft system for commercial purposes.34
55	41		(c) The state, through agency or departmental rules and regulations, may provide for or35
56	42		prohibit the launch or intentional landing of an unmanned aircraft system from or on its36
57	43		public property.37
58	44		(d)(1) It shall be unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or38
59	45		above a ticketed entertainment event.39
60	46		(2) A person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of the unauthorized operation40
61	47		of an unmanned aircraft system and shall be punished as for a misdemeanor.41
62	48		(3) This subsection shall not apply when a person who operates an unmanned aircraft42
63	49		system:43
64		-	H. B. 58
65		-	- 2 - 25 HB 58/AP
	50	+	- 2 - 25 LC 39 4747S
66	51		(A) Has obtained consent by any person with legal authority over a ticketed44
67	52		entertainment event;45
68	53		(B) Is authorized by federal regulations to operate an unmanned aircraft system and is46
69	54		operating such system in a lawful manner and consistent with federal regulations;47
70	55		(C) Is an employee of the property where the ticketed entertainment event is held and48
71		-	is conducting official business;49
	56	+	is conducting official business; or49
72	57		(D) Is an employee of a water, sewer, electrical, telephone, cable, or other regulated50
73		-	utility service provider and is conducting official business; or51
74		-	(E) Is an owner of private property who is operating an unmanned aircraft system that52
75		-	he or she owns above such property, provided that such operation is consistent with53
76		-	federal regulations and is not used for commercial purposes, to convey or communicate54
77		-	a message, or to record for purposes of commercial broadcasting or publication,55
78		-	monitor, or otherwise interfere in any way with a ticketed entertainment event."56
79		-	SECTION 2.57
80		-	This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law58
81		-	without such approval.59
82		-	SECTION 3.60
83		-	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.61
84		-	H. B. 58
	58	+	utility service provider and is conducting official business."51
	59	+	SECTION 2.52
	60	+	This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law53
	61	+	without such approval.54
	62	+	SECTION 3.55
	63	+	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.56
85	64		- 3 -