Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 59 Second Substitute (2018GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Pitcher, D.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/15/2018

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines "correctional facility";
• prohibits the operation of an unmanned aircraft system:
• to deliver any item to or inside the property of a correctional facility; or
• in a manner that interferes with the operations or security of a correctional facility;
• exempts an unmanned aircraft system that is operating in the course and scope of an operation of a mosquito abatement district; and
• makes technical changes .

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT REVISIONS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Dixon M. Pitcher
Senate Sponsor: 
Ann Millner
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill prohibits certain operations of an unmanned aircraft system related to
correctional facilities .
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines "correctional facility";
▸ prohibits the operation of an unmanned aircraft system:
• to deliver any item to or inside the property of a correctional facility; or
• in a manner that interferes with the operations or security of a correctional
facility;
▸ exempts an unmanned aircraft system that is operating in the course and scope of an
operation of a mosquito abatement district; and
▸ makes technical changes .
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
72-14-102
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 364
ENACTS:
72-14-304
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
72-14-102
 is amended to read:
72-14-102.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Airport" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
72-10-102
.
(2) "Airport operator" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
72-10-102
.
(3) "Correctional facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section
77-16b-102
.
[
(3)
] 
(4)
 "Unmanned aircraft" means an aircraft that is:
(a) capable of sustaining flight; and
(b) operated with no possible direct human intervention from on or within the aircraft.
[
(4)
] 
(5)
 "Unmanned aircraft system" means the entire system used to operate an
unmanned aircraft, including:
(a) the unmanned aircraft, including payload;
(b) communications equipment;
(c) navigation equipment;
(d) controllers;
(e) support equipment; and
(f) autopilot functionality.
Section 2. Section 
72-14-304
 is enacted to read:
 72-14-304.
Unlawful operation of unmanned aircraft near prison facilities --
Penalties.
(1) An individual may not operate an unmanned aircraft system:
(a) to carry or drop any item to or inside the property of a correctional facility; or
(b) in a manner that interferes with the operations or security of a correctional facility.
(2) (a) A violation of Subsection (1)(a) is a third degree felony.
(b) A violation of Subsection (1)(b) is a class B misdemeanor.
(3) An operator of an unmanned aircraft system does not violate Subsection (1) if the
operator is:
(a) an employee or contractor working on behalf of a mosquito abatement district
created pursuant to Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Local Districts, or
Title 17D, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Other Entities; and
(b) acting in the course and scope of the operator's employment.