SF 1408

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010)

Posted on 12/26/2012 11:17 p.m.

1.1A bill for an act 1.2relating to public safety; securing aircraft cockpits against lasers; providing for 1.3penalties;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609. 1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.5    Section 1. new text begin [609.857] DISCHARGING A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT. new text end 1.6     new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Definitions. new text end new text begin (a) As used in this section, the following terms have new text end 1.7 new text begin the meanings given. new text end 1.8 new text begin (b) "Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or new text end 1.9 new text begin designed for navigation of or flight in the air, but excluding parachutes. new text end 1.10 new text begin (c) "Laser" means both of the following: new text end 1.11 new text begin (1) any device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between new text end 1.12 new text begin energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, new text end 1.13 new text begin or infrared region of the spectrum and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous new text end 1.14 new text begin wave; new text end 1.15 new text begin (2) any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by simulated new text end 1.16 new text begin emission that is visible to the human eye. new text end 1.17     new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Crime. new text end new text begin Whoever knowingly aims and discharges a laser or other device new text end 1.18 new text begin that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off new text end 1.19 new text begin or landing or is in flight is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. new text end 1.20     new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Exceptions. new text end new text begin This section does not apply to the following individuals who new text end 1.21 new text begin aim and discharge a laser or other device at an aircraft: new text end 1.22 new text begin (a) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test new text end 1.23 new text begin operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, new text end 2.1 new text begin or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such new text end 2.2 new text begin research and development or flight test operations; or new text end 2.3 new text begin (b) members or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland new text end 2.4 new text begin Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, new text end 2.5 new text begin testing, or training. new text end 2.6     new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Defense. new text end new text begin It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section if new text end 2.7 new text begin the defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant intended to new text end 2.8 new text begin send an emergency distress signal. new text end 2.9 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2009, and applies to new text end 2.10 new text begin offenses committed on or after that date. new text end