Drone operators would face limits near ticketed entertainment events

A person would be prohibited from intentionally operating a civil drone within 5,280 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event. The rule covers music, sporting and performing arts events with controlled entry and paid or otherwise documented admission, held outdoors, under a retractable roof, or in a facility for at least 1,000 attendees. The rule would not apply when the operator has written consent from someone with legal authority over the event. It would also not apply to certain property, utility and emergency workers acting on official business. A person may operate their own drone over their own private property only if the operation follows federal law, is not commercial, does not support commercial broadcasting or publication, and does not monitor or interfere with the event. The text does not state when this rule would take effect.

A person who violates the event drone rule would commit a class 1 misdemeanor. The penalty applies to violations of the prohibition on intentionally operating a civil drone near or above a ticketed entertainment event. The penalty is separate from the text's felony penalties for intentionally photographing or loitering near a critical facility to further a crime. The text does not state when this penalty would take effect.