Crimes and offenses; unmanned aircraft systems, operation near ticketed entertainment events prohibited

Crime Education Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Rafferty
Last action: 2026-03-31
Official status: Enacted
Effective date: 2026-10-01

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is October 1, 2026, meaning the law does not apply before that date.

Ban on Flying Drones Near Ticketed Events

This law makes it illegal to fly a drone within 400 feet of or above ticketed entertainment events, with specific exceptions for authorized users and school sports.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits operating an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event.
Sets a fine of up to $500 for the first violation of this rule.
Classifies a second or later violation as a Class A misdemeanor crime.
Allows exceptions if the operator has consent from event authorities, is authorized by federal rules, works in specific official roles, owns private property above which they fly non-commercially, or attends middle school and high school sports events.

Who It Names or Affects

People who operate drones near ticketed music, sporting, or performing arts events
Event organizers at locations with gated entries requiring a license to attend
Employees of property owners, utility companies, emergency agencies, and state agencies operating drones for official business

Terms To Know

Unmanned Aircraft System: A drone or remote-controlled aircraft as defined in Section 13A-7-4.3 of the Code of Alabama.
Ticketed Entertainment Event: Music, sports, or performing arts events held behind gates where a revocable license is needed to enter.
Class A Misdemeanor: A type of criminal offense that carries specific penalties under state law for repeat violations.

Limits and Unknowns

The text does not list the exact federal regulations required for an operator to be exempt.
The bill does not specify how authorities will measure the 400-foot distance in practice.
The source material does not explain what happens if a drone is flown accidentally versus on purpose.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

I3IIG6Z-1

R 583

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment adds a rule that allows government workers to fly drones near ticketed events if they are doing their job.

It creates an exception for employees or volunteers of state agencies, police departments, fire departments, and emergency management groups.

The provided text only shows the new rule being added but does not show the full original law to explain exactly what was changed before this amendment.
It is unclear if 'official business' includes training exercises or just active emergencies because the definition is not included in this snippet.

FKHV8CD-1

R 584

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment adds a rule that bans flying drones near middle school and high school sports events if they are ticketed entertainment events.

The bill now includes middle school or high school sports events as types of ticketed entertainment events where drone operation is prohibited.

The amendment text only shows the new line added and does not explain how 'ticketed' applies to typical school games.
It is unclear from this short excerpt if other parts of the bill define what counts as a ticketed event for schools.

I3LNJW6-1

R 780 • Figures

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment updates the definitions for operating drones and ticketed events, but it cuts off before finishing the definition of an unmanned aircraft system.

It defines 'operate' as being in direct control of a drone no matter how you control it.
It starts to define what counts as a 'ticketed entertainment event,' mentioning music and sporting events.

The text ends abruptly while defining an unmanned aircraft system, so the full definition is missing.
Because the amendment cuts off mid-sentence, it is unclear exactly how ticketed events are fully defined or what rules apply to drones under this bill.

Bill History

2026-03-31 House
Enacted
2026-03-17 Senate
Signature Requested
2026-03-17 House
Delivered to Governor
2026-03-17 House
Enrolled
2026-03-12 House
Rafferty Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 893 (Yeas 97, Nays 0)
2026-03-12 House
Ready to Enroll
2026-03-10 Senate
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 781 (Yeas 34, Nays 1)
2026-03-10 Senate
Figures motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 780 (Yeas 35, Nays 0)
2026-03-10 Senate
Third Reading in Second House (Yeas 35, Nays 0)
2026-03-10 Senate
Figures 1st Amendment Offered
2026-03-03 Senate
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-03-03 Senate
Reported Out of Committee Second House
2026-02-25 Senate
Pending Committee Action in Second House
2026-02-25 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
2026-02-24 House
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 585 (Yeas 93, Nays 3)
2026-02-24 House
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 584 (Yeas 100, Nays 0)
2026-02-24 House
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 583 (Yeas 98, Nays 0)
2026-02-24 House
Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 94, Nays 4)
2026-02-24 House
Engrossed
2026-02-24 House
Pettus 1st Amendment Offered
2026-02-24 House
Bedsole 1st Amendment Offered
2026-02-19 House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-02-18 House
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-02-12 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-02-12 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Official Summary Text

This act: (1) prohibits operating an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event, subject to exceptions; and (2) provides a violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and a subsequent violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB429 ENROLLED
Page 0
HB429
U9UU5DX-3
By Representatives Rafferty, England, Tillman, Hendrix
RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
First Read: 12-Feb-26
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HB429 Enrolled
Page 1
First Read: 12-Feb-26
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to crimes and offenses; to prohibit the
operation of an unmanned aircraft system near a ticketed
entertainment event; to provide penalties for violations; and
to provide exemptions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the
following terms have the following meanings:
(1) OPERATE. To act as the individual in direct and
immediate control of an unmanned aircraft system, regardless
of the method of control.
(2) TICKETED ENTERTAINMENT EVENT. Any music, sporting,
or performing arts event held in a location with gated entries
or barriers that prevent access to the general public and in
which a revocable license that has been issued by an owner,
operator, or lessee of the property is required for an
individual to attend the event.
(3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM. As defined in Section
13A-7-4.3, Code of Alabama 1975.
(b)(1) It shall be unlawful to operate an unmanned
aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed
entertainment event.
(2) A violation of this subsection is punishable by a
fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500).
(3) A second or subsequent violation of this subsection
is a Class A misdemeanor.
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HB429 Enrolled
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is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) Subsection (b) shall not apply to an operator of an
unmanned aircraft system in any of the following scenarios:
(1) The operator has obtained consent by any person
with legal authority over the ticketed entertainment event.
(2) The operator is authorized by federal regulations
to operate an unmanned aircraft system and is operating the
system in a lawful manner consistent with federal regulations.
(3) The operator is an employee of the property where
the event is being held and is conducting official business.
(4) The operator is an employee of a utility service
provider and is conducting official business.
(5) The operator is an owner of private property who is
operating an unmanned aircraft system that he or she owns
above the private property, where the operation is consistent
with federal regulations and is not done for commercial
purposes, to convey or communicate a message, or to record for
the purposes of commercial broadcasting, commercial
publication, monitoring, or to otherwise interfere with a
ticketed entertainment event.
(6) The operator is an employee or volunteer with a
state agency, law enforcement agency, fire department, or
emergency management agency and is conducting official
business.
(7) The ticketed entertainment event is a middle school
or high school sports event.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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HB429 Enrolled
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1, 2026.
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
was passed by the House 24-Feb-26, as amended.
John Treadwell
Clerk
Senate 10-Mar-26 Amended and Passed
House 12-Mar-26 Concurred in Senate
Amendment
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