UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH AIRCRAFT

SB0103

SENATE BILL 103

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Harold Pope

AN ACT

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL
INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT OF AN AIRCRAFT; INCLUDING
DIRECTING A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT AS UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE;

REPEALING SECTION 64-1-23 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1965, CHAPTER
34, SECTION 3).

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
Section 64-1-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965,
Chapter 34, Section 2) is amended to read:

"64-1-22. UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT OF
AIRCRAFT.--[
Any
]

A. Unlawful interference with the flight of an
aircraft consists of a
person discharging a firearm, [
or
]
setting in flight any missile, projectile or object
or
directing a laser that is
intended to strike,
interfere with
or
collide with any flying aircraft [
shall be guilty of unlawful
interference with the flight of an aircraft
],
including
personnel on board the aircraft. Whoever commits unlawful
interference with the flight of an aircraft is guilty of a
fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the
provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

B. Whoever commits unlawful interference with the
flight of an aircraft for a second and subsequent offense is
guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant
to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

C. Whoever commits unlawful interference with the
flight of an aircraft that results in harm to a person on the
aircraft that requires medical treatment is guilty of a third
degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions
of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

D. As used in this section, "laser" means a device
designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by
stimulated emission that emits a beam of light.
"

SECTION 2.
REPEAL.--Section 64-1-23 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
1965, Chapter 34, Section 3) is repealed.

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