How SB 1422 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises the definition of 'critical infrastructure facility', adds exceptions and increases penalties for various drone-related offenses in Florida law.

• 330.41

  20. A critical infrastructure facility as defined in s. 692.201.

  Removes the previous reference to a critical infrastructure facility definition based on s. 692.201.

• 330.41(4)(a)

  A person may not knowingly or willfully: operate a drone over a critical infrastructure facility, → A person may not knowingly or willfully: operate a drone over a critical infrastructure facility, unless the operation is for a commercial purpose and is authorized by and in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration regulations;

  Allows drone operations over critical infrastructure facilities for commercial purposes with FAA authorization.

• 330.41(4)(b)

  A person who violates paragraph (a) commits a felony of the third misdemeanor of the second degree, → A person who violates paragraph (a) commits a felony of the third degree,

  Increases the penalty for violating drone operation rules over critical infrastructure facilities from a misdemeanor to a felony.

• 330.411(1)(a)

  “Unmanned aircraft” has the same meaning as the term 'drone' in s. 934.50(2).

  Aligns the definition of 'unmanned aircraft' in this section with the definition in another section.

• 934.50(3)(b)

  A person, a state agency, or a political subdivision as defined in s. 11.45 may not use a drone equipped with an imaging device → A person, a state agency, or a political subdivision as defined in s. 11.45 may not use a drone equipped with an imaging device to record an image of privately owned real property

  Specifies that the prohibition on using drones with imaging devices applies to recording images of privately owned property.

• 934.50(4)(d)

  To provide a law enforcement agency with an aerial perspective of a crowd of 50 people or more → To provide a law enforcement agency with an aerial perspective of a crowd of 50 people or more or to provide or maintain the public safety of such crowd,

  Expands the exception for drone use to provide public safety alongside aerial perspectives of large crowds.

• 934.50(4)

  By a law enforcement agency in furtherance of providing and maintaining the security of an elected official pursuant to s. 943.68.

  Adds a new exception allowing law enforcement to use drones for the security of elected officials.

• 934.50(8)

  An individual who knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

  Introduces criminal penalties for individuals violating drone surveillance privacy protections.

• 934.50(8)(b)

  An individual who knowingly or willfully violates paragraph (3)(b) and intentionally distributes surveillance obtained in violation of that paragraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

  Creates a felony penalty for knowingly violating drone surveillance rules and distributing obtained images.