{"name":"New U.S. State Drone Laws, 2026","publisher":"Drone Authority","url":"https://droneauthority.org/data/state-drone-laws-2026","description":"Every state drone statute and agency rule enacted in 2026 or taking effect in 2026 or on January 1, 2027, with signing and effective dates, audience, a plain-language summary, and the primary source.","license":{"name":"Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","attribution":"Drone Authority, https://droneauthority.org/data/state-drone-laws-2026"},"disclaimer":"Educational reference, not legal advice. Rules change and local ordinances may apply. Verify against the linked primary sources before relying on any record.","dateModified":"2026-10-24","recordCount":29,"csv":"https://droneauthority.org/api/datasets/state-drone-laws-2026?format=csv","records":[{"id":"nh-rsa-644-23","state":"New Hampshire","state_slug":"new-hampshire","measure":"RSA 644:23 (2025 chapter 278)","kind":"statute","topic":"Federal-rule violations and misuse","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-01-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Makes flying in violation of Part 107 a violation, and a misdemeanor on a repeat. Interfering with emergency response is a misdemeanor. Endangering a crewed aircraft is a class A misdemeanor, rising to felonies for damage or a crash. Flying in FAA-restricted airspace over a correctional facility is a misdemeanor, and contraband delivery and weaponized drones are class B felonies.","source_url":"https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LXII/644/644-23.htm","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-hampshire"},{"id":"wy-parks-notice","state":"Wyoming","state_slug":"wyoming","measure":"State Parks Chapter 1 rule amendments (notice of intent)","kind":"proposed-rule","topic":"State parks","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-01-07","effective":null,"status_on_generation":"proposed","summary":"Proposes allowing drone use in state parks with the park superintendent's prior written permission. Proposed, not confirmed as adopted.","source_url":"https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/news-updates-general/2155-wyoming-state-parks-notice-of-intent-to-amend-rules","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/wyoming"},{"id":"me-ld-2157","state":"Maine","state_slug":"maine","measure":"LD 2157, Public Law 2025 chapter 689 (enacted 2026)","kind":"statute","topic":"Correctional facilities","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-04-13","effective":"2026-07-29","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Creates 17-A M.R.S. § 761. Flying over a correctional facility or jail at or below 400 feet, or landing on or launching from its premises, without authorization is a civil violation with a fine of at least $500, and a Class D crime on a repeat. An FAA certificate is not a defense.","source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec761.html","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/maine"},{"id":"sc-act-150","state":"South Carolina","state_slug":"south-carolina","measure":"Act 150 (H. 4679)","kind":"statute","topic":"Statewide framework and preemption","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-05-15","effective":"2027-01-01","status_on_generation":"upcoming","summary":"The South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act. Flying over or within 1,500 feet of a correctional, detention, or military facility without written authorization becomes a misdemeanor, and contraband delivery, facility surveillance, and weaponized drones become felonies. Repeals §§ 24-1-300 and 24-5-175 and bars conflicting local ordinances, while letting localities set reasonable limits on public property.","source_url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4679.htm","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/south-carolina"},{"id":"ny-ch55","state":"New York","state_slug":"new-york","measure":"Chapter 55 of 2026 (S9005-C, Part D)","kind":"statute","topic":"Prohibited spaces and misuse","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-05-27","effective":"2026-08-25","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Adds Penal Law Article 280: unlawful use of a drone, a class A misdemeanor, for flying in a nefarious manner or over prohibited space within 500 feet of places such as airports, schools, and police and fire stations without approval. Lawful work flights and hobby drones of 0.55 lb or less are exempt. Drone provisions took effect 90 days after signing.","source_url":"https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/P3TPA280","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-york"},{"id":"la-act-854","state":"Louisiana","state_slug":"louisiana","measure":"Act 854 (HB 940)","kind":"statute","topic":"Law enforcement counter-drone standards","audience":"public-agencies","signed":null,"effective":"2026-06-08","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"The LETS GO! Act, RS 14:337.2: training standards and a joint task force for law enforcement drone mitigation. It governs how officers may intercept drones, not what private pilots must do.","source_url":"https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1481485","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/louisiana"},{"id":"ga-hb-1230","state":"Georgia","state_slug":"georgia","measure":"HB 1230","kind":"statute","topic":"Correctional facilities","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-07-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Amends O.C.G.A. § 42-5-18: operating a drone above a place of incarceration or for criminal-purpose imaging is a felony of 5 to 10 years, and contraband delivery 1 to 10 years. Police may seize the drone and use detection and interception measures on reasonable suspicion. Operators in compliance with federal regulations and utility workers are exempt.","source_url":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2026-signed-legislation/hb-1230/download","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/georgia"},{"id":"id-20-251","state":"Idaho","state_slug":"idaho","measure":"2026 chapter 233 (Idaho Code § 20-251)","kind":"statute","topic":"Correctional facilities","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-07-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, plus possible forfeiture, for flying in the airspace from the surface to 400 feet above ground within a state correctional facility's perimeter.","source_url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title20/T20CH2/SECT20-251/","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/idaho"},{"id":"in-hea-1249","state":"Indiana","state_slug":"indiana","measure":"HEA 1249 (P.L. 158-2026)","kind":"statute","topic":"Remote aerial harassment","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-07-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Rewrites IC 35-45-10-6. Operating a drone to harass a person, or over another's property without consent intending to harass or disturb, is a class A misdemeanor, and a level 6 felony with a prior conviction. Mechanical failure, avoiding a greater harm, and unintentional overspray are defenses.","source_url":"https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/house/bills/HB1249/HB1249.04.ENRS.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/indiana"},{"id":"oh-hb-251","state":"Ohio","state_slug":"ohio","measure":"HB 251 (136th General Assembly)","kind":"statute","topic":"Public agency drone use","audience":"public-agencies","signed":"2026-07-07","effective":"2026-10-06","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Sets rules for how law enforcement and other public entities use and buy drones, including a warrant requirement for surveillance where a warrant would otherwise be needed. It does not regulate private operators.","source_url":"https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_136/legislation/hb251/05_EN/pdf/","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/ohio"},{"id":"mo-sb-1421","state":"Missouri","state_slug":"missouri","measure":"SB 1421 and HB 2637","kind":"statute","topic":"Entertainment venues and critical infrastructure","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-06-12","effective":"2026-06-12","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"In force since June 12, 2026 through HB 2637's emergency clause; SB 1421, signed July 9, enacted the same text. Purposely flying below 400 feet inside an open-air venue holding 500 or more, or within a critical infrastructure facility's boundary, is an infraction. Delivering a weapon by drone is a class B felony and drugs a class D felony. FAA-authorized commercial operators flying lawfully and those with written consent are exempt.","source_url":"https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/pdf-bill/tat/SB1421.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/missouri"},{"id":"tn-deer-recovery","state":"Tennessee","state_slug":"tennessee","measure":"TWRA drone recovery framework (under Public Chapter 478)","kind":"regulation","topic":"Wounded-game recovery","audience":"hunters","signed":null,"effective":"2026-08-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Drones may be used only to recover a deer reasonably believed to be mortally wounded, over private land with the landowner's permission, from 30 minutes after sunset to 3 a.m., by an FAA-certificated pilot with a thermal-equipped drone. Hunting with drones stays banned.","source_url":"https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting.html","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/tennessee"},{"id":"or-parks-openings","state":"Oregon","state_slug":"oregon","measure":"Oregon State Parks drone operation areas","kind":"regulation","topic":"State parks","audience":"recreational-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-08-08","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Recreational drone operation is allowed at a published list of about twenty state park properties. Every other state park property stays closed to drones.","source_url":"https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.page&id=97","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/oregon"},{"id":"az-ch-215","state":"Arizona","state_slug":"arizona","measure":"Laws 2026 chapter 215 (SB 1160)","kind":"statute","topic":"Ticketed events","audience":"commercial-pilots","signed":"2026-06-22","effective":"2026-09-12","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Class 1 misdemeanor to fly a civil drone, meaning one flown for anything other than strictly hobby purposes, within 5,280 feet of or above a gated, ticketed music, sports, or performing arts event. Flights that comply with an FAA authorization or FAA rules are exempt, an exemption no court has yet measured.","source_url":"https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2r/laws/0215.htm","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/arizona"},{"id":"az-ch-236","state":"Arizona","state_slug":"arizona","measure":"Laws 2026 chapter 236 (SB 1627)","kind":"statute","topic":"Schools","audience":"recreational-pilots","signed":"2026-06-22","effective":"2026-09-12","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Class 3 misdemeanor for a recreational pilot to photograph or loiter 200 feet or less above posted, non-residential K-12 school property while school is in session, after being asked to leave. Anyone with authority over the property, or that person's consent, is exempt.","source_url":"https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2r/laws/0236.htm","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/arizona"},{"id":"al-hb-429","state":"Alabama","state_slug":"alabama","measure":"HB 429 (Act 2026-306)","kind":"statute","topic":"Ticketed events","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-10-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Unlawful to fly within 400 feet of or above a gated, ticketed music, sports, or performing arts event. A first violation is a fine of up to $500; a repeat is a class A misdemeanor. Operators authorized by federal regulations and flying lawfully are exempt. Enacted March 31, 2026.","source_url":"https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/HB429-enr.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/alabama"},{"id":"ok-sb-1441","state":"Oklahoma","state_slug":"oklahoma","measure":"SB 1441 (Laws 2026 chapter 149)","kind":"statute","topic":"Critical infrastructure","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-04-30","effective":"2026-11-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Amends 3 O.S. § 322, which bars flying below 400 feet over, touching, or interfering with a fenced or posted critical infrastructure facility. From November 1, 2026, violators also face criminal penalties under 21 O.S. § 1792, not just civil damages. FAA-authorized commercial operators and anyone with written consent are exempt.","source_url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=478051","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/oklahoma"},{"id":"ca-ab-2113","state":"California","state_slug":"california","measure":"AB 2113 (Chapter 383, Statutes of 2026)","kind":"statute","topic":"Ticketed events and amusement parks","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-09-20","effective":"2027-01-01","status_on_generation":"upcoming","summary":"No drone flight within 400 feet of an outdoor ticketed entertainment event not already under an FAA restriction, or of an amusement park at any time. $500 infraction. A Part 107 certificate alone does not exempt a pilot.","source_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2113","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/california"},{"id":"wa-eshb-2711","state":"Washington","state_slug":"washington","measure":"ESHB 2711 (2026 c 255 § 406)","kind":"statute","topic":"Commercial registration and tax","audience":"commercial-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2027-01-01","status_on_generation":"upcoming","summary":"Adds a $120 annual excise tax on commercial unpiloted aircraft under RCW 82.48.030. With the $30 registration fee that applies from the same date, the annual cost per commercial drone is $150.","source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=82.48.030","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/washington"},{"id":"ga-hb-946","state":"Georgia","state_slug":"georgia","measure":"HB 946","kind":"statute","topic":"Feral hogs","audience":"hunters","signed":null,"effective":null,"status_on_generation":"date-not-stated","summary":"Adds O.C.G.A. § 27-3-13(a.1): drones may be used to locate feral hogs, subject to all other laws. Locating is the whole permission; it does not allow taking or driving hogs with a drone.","source_url":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2026-signed-legislation/hb-946/download","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/georgia"},{"id":"md-comar-drone","state":"Maryland","state_slug":"maryland","measure":"COMAR 08.03.10.17 (2026-2027 season)","kind":"regulation","topic":"Hunting and wounded-game recovery","audience":"hunters","signed":null,"effective":"2026-08-17","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Bars using a drone to hunt or take wildlife, to disturb it in a way that injures it or disrupts breeding, feeding, resting, or sheltering, or to interfere with another person's hunt. Scouting is allowed, but not hunting the scouted area within 24 hours. A drone may locate lawfully wounded or killed game, with notice to the DNR Communication Center before and after.","source_url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/08.03.10.17","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/maryland"},{"id":"sd-ch-192","state":"South Dakota","state_slug":"south-dakota","measure":"HB 1280 (2026 Session Laws chapter 192)","kind":"statute","topic":"Correctional and military facilities","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-03-11","effective":null,"status_on_generation":"date-not-stated","summary":"Raises unauthorized drone flight over a prison, correctional facility, jail, juvenile detention facility, or military facility from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony, and lets law enforcement use countermeasures under rules the Department of Public Safety may adopt.","source_url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/50-15","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/south-dakota"},{"id":"ct-pa-25-1-purchasing","state":"Connecticut","state_slug":"connecticut","measure":"Public Act 25-1, § 5(c)","kind":"statute","topic":"Covered foreign drone purchases","audience":"public-agencies","signed":"2025-03-03","effective":"2026-10-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"State agencies, municipalities, their contractors, and state or federal funds may no longer buy small drones assembled or manufactured by a covered foreign entity, including Chinese and Russian companies. Operating them is barred from October 1, 2028, with limited emergency, counter-drone, and investigation waivers through 2034.","source_url":"https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/act/Pa/pdf/2025PA-00001-R00HB-07066-PA.PDF","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/connecticut"},{"id":"nh-sb-49","state":"New Hampshire","state_slug":"new-hampshire","measure":"SB 49 (2026 chapter 6)","kind":"statute","topic":"Federal-rule violations","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-03-20","effective":"2026-05-19","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Narrows RSA 644:23's federal-rule offense to violations of 14 C.F.R. part 107 as it stood on July 24, 2025. It replaced wording that covered FAA rules generally, so a recreational-rule breach is no longer named.","source_url":"https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LXII/644/644-23.htm","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-hampshire"},{"id":"tn-pc-918","state":"Tennessee","state_slug":"tennessee","measure":"Public Chapter 918 (HB 2368)","kind":"statute","topic":"Ticketed events","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-05-18","effective":"2026-07-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Class A misdemeanor to fly within 400 feet of or above a gated, ticketed music, sports, or performing arts event. Exempt: event consent, FAA-authorized pilots flying lawfully, venue, utility, police, military, and emergency workers, and landowners over their own property.","source_url":"https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0918.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/tennessee"},{"id":"al-sb-231","state":"Alabama","state_slug":"alabama","measure":"SB 231 (Act 2026-270)","kind":"statute","topic":"Capitol areas","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-03-17","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Class C felony to use a drone to surveil a Capitol area for a crime or to disrupt one. From January 1, 2027, any drone use within 500 horizontal feet and 250 vertical feet of a Capitol area, including downtown Montgomery and the Governor's Mansion, needs written ALEA permission; violations are a Class C misdemeanor, Class B on a repeat.","source_url":"https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB231-enr.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/alabama"},{"id":"al-hb-274","state":"Alabama","state_slug":"alabama","measure":"HB 274 (Act 2026-187)","kind":"statute","topic":"Correctional facility countermeasures","audience":"public-agencies","signed":null,"effective":"2026-06-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Lets the Department of Corrections jam, to the extent federal law allows, hack, or physically capture a drone operating in violation of the corrections drone article.","source_url":"https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/HB274-enr.pdf","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/alabama"},{"id":"ca-ab-1749","state":"California","state_slug":"california","measure":"AB 1749 (Chapter 762, Statutes of 2026)","kind":"statute","topic":"Wildfire and emergency response","audience":"all-pilots","signed":"2026-09-29","effective":null,"status_on_generation":"date-not-stated","summary":"Adds Civil Code § 1714.57: knowingly or recklessly interfering with wildfire suppression, or with an emergency response under an FAA temporary flight restriction, can bring a civil penalty of up to $75,000 per violation.","source_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1749","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/california"},{"id":"la-act-289","state":"Louisiana","state_slug":"louisiana","measure":"Act 289 (HB 155)","kind":"statute","topic":"State capitol grounds","audience":"all-pilots","signed":null,"effective":"2026-08-01","status_on_generation":"in-effect","summary":"Expands the Capitol grounds no-fly area under RS 14:337 to the Capitol Annex, Capitol Gardens, Pentagon Barracks, Capitol Lake and its shoreline, A.Z. Young Park, the Claiborne Building, and the state parking garage. Flights need written consent.","source_url":"https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1479524","page_url":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/louisiana"}]}