Drone News: TX & OH Bills Against Drones, FL Bill, OR Bill Helps DFR, SkyeBrowse/Paladin Partner

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, a controversial Texas bill aims to ban certain drones for public safety use. Second, Florida considers a bill allowing "reasonable force" against drones over private property. Third, Oregon passes stricter penalties for drone interference with emergency responders. And finally, SkyeBrowse and Paladin partner for real-time 3D modeling in DFR programs.

And first up this week, let's talk about Texas House Bill 41. This proposed legislation aims to ban certain drones, primarily those manufactured in China, claiming it's to protect Texas from foreign technology risks. However, this bill is facing MAJOR pushback, especially from the public safety community in Texas. At a recent hearing, firefighters, police, and search and rescue professionals testified AGAINST the bill because it risks removing critical tools they rely on daily. Furthermore, there's the practical side. US drone manufacturers currently can't produce the needed drones at scale or cost effectively to replace the existing fleets immediately. HB41 could force agencies to scrap perfectly good, effective equipment within five years, potentially wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on more expensive, less capable, and less reliable alternatives. We've already seen examples where drones that would be banned under HB41 saved lives or helped solve major crimes in Texas. This bill feels less about security and more like protectionism that could seriously hamper public safety efforts. It’s passed committee but needs to clear the House Calendars Committee for a full vote. If you're in Texas, the Drone Advocacy Alliance has resources, and contacting the Calendars Committee directly is crucial.Next up, if you're flying in Florida, you'll want to pay close attention to Senate Bill 1422. This bill is advancing through the state legislature and could allow homeowners to use "reasonable force" to stop drones they believe are conducting surveillance over their property below 500 feet. Now, this builds on Florida's existing Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act, and it seems fueled by privacy concerns, like reports of insurance companies using drones for home inspections. We all value privacy, but this bill raises some serious red flags.The Oregon House unanimously passed House Bill 3426, which significantly bumps up the penalties if you *intentionally* interfere with firefighters, law enforcement, or search and rescue using a drone, it's now potentially a Class C felony. That could mean up to 5 years in prison and a $125,000 fine! Even *unintentional* interference is now a Class B misdemeanor, carrying up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. That's a pretty steep penalty for potentially not knowing better.Typically between 100 and 500 feet, making any unauthorized drone in the area a serious collision hazard. Grounding air support, even for a short time, can have devastating consequences during a fire or rescue operation.Tools like geofencing can help, but ultimately, responsible flying and checking for TFRs before every flight is critical. This bill still needs Senate approval, but its unanimous House passage shows strong support. It's a serious reminder: DON'T fly near emergencies. Period. As always, please don't be that guy.