Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a senate bill aiming to prohibit drones from flying less than 350 feet over private properties with no permission from property owners.
Senate Bill 142, authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, considers operating a low-level drone above a private property without legal authority an act of trespass, whether or not the privacy of anybody was violated by the flight.
The California governor is, however, concerned over the additional legal strain inflicted on owners of drones.
"Drone technology certainly raises novel issues that merit careful examination," Brown wrote in his veto message. "This bill, however, while well-intentioned, could expose the occasional hobbyist and the FAA-approved commercial user alike to burdensome litigation and new causes of action."
While some claim SB 142 would protect anyone's privacy, others say such control could kill jobs and stifle innovation.
For instance, the National Press Photographers Association, an organization that represents news photographers, is actively opposing the bill, saying journalists could be accused of violating the law once the UAS (unmanned aircraft system) they use to collect newsworthy data at a nearby location flies over a private property. The group added the bill is impossible to enforce or comply with.
The group also said it may be tough for a real estate owner to confirm the actual altitude of the drone which, it said, could lead to inappropriate legal claims.
Oregon also approved House Bill 2710 in 2013, which imposed similar restrictions.
In August, Tech Times reported a drone was seen on the final approach way to Runway 4 Right at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Even though the flights successfully arrived at the airport, it left many people present at the airport at that time anxious. The report said flying drones that can disrupt manned aircraft is against the law. Anyone who is found to break the law should pay a $1,000 to $25,000 penalty.
Meanwhile, a number of tech groups, including those allegedly supported by Google and Amazon, along with other companies with commercial drone plans, such as GoPro, are reportedly opposing the legislation.
Photo: Don McCullough | Flickr
