HF 3517

2nd Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/07/2016 04:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles near
public safety helicopters; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 609.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [609.5001] INTERFERING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY HELICOPTERS;
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this
subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Public safety helicopter" is a helicopter operated by a law enforcement agency,
fire department, or emergency medical service provider.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Unmanned aerial vehicle" means a powered, aerial vehicle that:
new text end

new text begin (1) does not carry a human operator;
new text end

new text begin (2) can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely;
new text end

new text begin (3) uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift;
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new text begin (4) can be expendable or recoverable; and
new text end

new text begin (5) can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Crime. new text end

new text begin Whoever knowingly operates an unmanned aerial vehicle within
one mile of a public safety helicopter during operations is guilty of a crime and shall
be punished as provided in subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) A person who violates subdivision 2 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who violates subdivision 2 a second or subsequent time is guilty of a
gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Exception. new text end

new text begin A person does not violate subdivision 2 if the person receives
permission to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle within one mile of a public safety
helicopter during operations from the law enforcement agency, fire department, or
emergency medical service provider operating the public safety helicopter.
new text end