Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3272 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		89R2354 MCF-D
2		-	By: Geren~~, Curry, Darby, et al.~~ H.B. No. 3272
	2	+	By: Geren H.B. No. 3272
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7	7		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	8		AN ACT
9	9		relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport;
10	10		creating a criminal offense.
11	11		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
12	12		SECTION 1. The heading to Section 42.15, Penal Code, is
13	13		amended to read as follows:
14	14		Sec. 42.15. OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OVER AIRPORT,
15	15		[OR] MILITARY INSTALLATION, OR SPACEPORT.
16	16		SECTION 2. Section 42.15(a), Penal Code, is amended by
17	17		adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
18	18		(3) "Spaceport" means any property or facility that
19	19		is:
20	20		(A) used for the launch, landing, or recovery of
21	21		spacecraft, as defined by Section 507.001, Local Government Code;
22	22		and
23	23		(B) licensed by the Federal Aviation
24	24		Administration or operated by a spaceport development corporation
25	25		under Chapter 507, Local Government Code.
26	26		SECTION 3. Sections 42.15(b) and (c), Penal Code, are
27	27		amended to read as follows:
28	28		(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally
29	29		or knowingly:
30	30		(1) operates an unmanned aircraft over an airport,
31	31		[or] military installation, or spaceport;
32	32		(2) allows an unmanned aircraft to make contact with
33	33		an airport, [or] military installation, or spaceport, including any
34	34		person or object on the premises of or within the airport, [or]
35	35		military installation, or spaceport; or
36	36		(3) operates an unmanned aircraft in a manner that
37	37		interferes with the operations of or causes a disturbance to an
38	38		airport, [or] military installation, or spaceport.
39	39		(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
40	40		the conduct described by Subsection (b) was engaged in by:
41	41		(1) the federal government, this state, or a
42	42		governmental entity;
43	43		(2) a person under contract with or otherwise acting
44	44		under the direction or on behalf of the federal government, this
45	45		state, or a governmental entity;
46	46		(3) a law enforcement agency;
47	47		(4) a person under contract with or otherwise acting
48	48		under the direction or on behalf of a law enforcement agency;
49	49		(5) an owner or operator of the airport, [or] military
50	50		installation, or spaceport;
51	51		(6) a person under contract with or otherwise acting
52	52		under the direction or on behalf of an owner or operator of the
53	53		airport, [or] military installation, or spaceport;
54	54		(7) a person who has the prior written or electronic
55	55		authorization of:
56	56		(A) the owner or operator of the airport, [or]
57	57		military installation, or spaceport; or
58	58		(B) the Federal Aviation Administration; or
59	59		(8) the owner or occupant of the property on which the
60	60		airport, [or] military installation, or spaceport is located or a
61	61		person who has the prior written consent of the owner or occupant of
62	62		that property.
63	63		SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
64	64		to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
65	65		An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
66	66		governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
67	67		and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
68	68		purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
69	69		effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
70	70		before that date.
71	71		SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.