SB372 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Unmanned aircraft systems or drones, prohibited from flying over certain facilities, sale, operation, manufacturing of drones equipped with a weapon are prohibited, criminal penalties, use by governmental agencies authorized under certain conditions, rulemaking authority, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, Secs. 13A-6-24, 13A-6-90.1, 13A-7-22, 13A-10-2, 13A-10-38, 13A-11-32, 23-1-388 am'd.

Summary

SB372 creates the Alabama Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to regulate drones, restrict flying over certain facilities, ban weaponized drones, and limit government drone use, with penalties and civil remedies.

What This Bill Does

It sets rules for using unmanned aircraft systems, including a prohibition on flying over designated facilities without the owner's permission and certain exceptions. It bans sale, transport, manufacture, or possession of drones equipped with weapons. It restricts how government agencies can use drones to gather information and provides both civil and criminal penalties for violations, plus allows injured parties to sue. It also updates existing crimes to cover drone-related conduct and gives the Department of Transportation rulemaking power; a separate weaponized drone prohibition creates a new offense.

Who It Affects

• Owners and operators of designated facilities (such as refineries, chemical plants, water treatment, electric utilities, rail facilities, ports, and other critical infrastructure) who may prevent drone overflights, sue violators, and seek damages.
• Drone operators, manufacturers, sellers, and government agencies, who face new restrictions, potential criminal charges, and civil liability; journalists may be affected by certain allowed exceptions for news gathering.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act and defines designated facilities and other terms.
• Prohibits unlawful UAS use to surveil, photograph, or harass designated facilities without owner consent; establishes criminal penalties and an affirmative defense related to data destruction or cessation of disclosure; allows civil actions and damages.
• Bans sale, transport, manufacture, or possession of a drone equipped with a weapon; defines weapon and makes violation a Class A misdemeanor.
• Restricts government use of UAS to gather evidence or information to specific circumstances (e.g., warrants, imminent danger, crises, or certain law enforcement contexts) and allows civil actions; prohibits admissibility of illegally obtained evidence and retention of images.
• Requires DOT to adopt rules for implementing the act; recognizes FAA preemption of national airspace; allows local no-fly zones only with FAA approval; allows local regulation within boundaries otherwise.
• Expands existing Alabama crimes to include UAS involvement (reckless endangerment, stalking, criminal mischief, obstruction, criminal surveillance, etc.) and adds penalties and restitution requirements where applicable.
• Enacts a new section prohibiting weaponized UAS sales or possession; effective date is the first day of the third month after governor's approval; includes a note that the local-expenditure amendment (Amendment 621) does not apply because the bill creates new crimes or amends existing ones.

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