HB471 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Unmanned aircraft systems or drones, use of prohibited under certain conditions, criminal penalties, injuctive relief, use by governmental agencies authorized under certain conditions, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

Summary

HB471 creates the Alabama Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to restrict drone use, set penalties for violations, and allow civil actions, while limiting government drone use.

What This Bill Does

It bans flying over designated facilities (like refineries, chemical plants, storage facilities, electric stations, rail yards, ports, and drinking water facilities) without owner consent, and prohibits drone surveillance, recording, harassment of hunters/fishers, or aiding hunting/fishing. Violators face criminal penalties (Class B misdemeanor for first offense, Class A for subsequent offenses) and facility owners can sue for damages or seek injunctions, including a $5,000 recovery per published photo/video. It also restricts government agencies from using drones to gather evidence except under specified circumstances and allows civil actions by those harmed, with rules about evidence handling and enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Owners and operators of designated facilities (and people harmed by unlawful drone activity) who may sue for damages, seek injunctions, and seek specific monetary remedies.
• Drone operators, individuals, hunters/fishermen, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and government agencies who face new restrictions and potential criminal penalties for unlawful drone use.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Establishes unlawful uses of unmanned aircraft systems (over designated facilities without consent, unlawful surveillance/recording, distributing unlawfully obtained material, harassing hunters/fishers, or aiding hunting/fishing) with criminal penalties (Class B misdemeanor first offense; Class A for later offenses) and authorizes civil action and damages by facility owners.
• Provision 2: Limits government agency use of unmanned aircraft systems to obtaining warrants or meeting specific listed exceptions, prohibits certain uses and retention of evidence, preserves civil action rights for injured parties, and authorizes rulemaking by the Alabama Department of Transportation; also notes local funding considerations under Amendment 621.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses