What Happened
State Law Raises Questions About FAA Preemption And Local Authority
California has passed a law prohibiting unauthorized drone flights within 400 feet of large outdoor entertainment venues and amusement parks, citing public safety and intellectual property protection concerns. The law, which may raise questions about the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority over national airspace, was discussed in a DroneLife article featuring insights from aviation policy and regulation attorney Katie Inman. According to Inman, state and local governments may have some ability to regulate drone activity, depending on the purpose of the law, such as addressing trespass, privacy, or public safety concerns. This development was reported by Holland & Knight.