H.R. 1138 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1138 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 16, 2017Mr. Cook (for himself, Mr. Royce of California, Ms. Brownley of California, and Mr. Aguilar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a criminal penalty for launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2017. 2. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft (a) In general Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1370. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft (a) Offense Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and in so doing knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (b) Exceptions This section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response. (c) Definitions In this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Wildfire The term wildfire has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m). (2) Wildfire suppression The term wildfire suppression means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 1370. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft. .