WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5319

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RETIREMENT OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Baginski and 9 co-sponsors

HB 5319 bans flying or hovering unmanned aircraft over key facilities and critical infrastructure listed by Michigan (with limited FAA preemption) and makes trespass by drones/ unm

04/22/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5319

Summary — HB 5319 (House, 2025)

Purpose

HB 5319 amends Michigan’s penal code (1931 PA 328), section 45a, to prohibit certain uses of unmanned aircraft (drones) and unmanned vehicles (land/water) at or over “key facilities,” correctional and law enforcement facilities, and other designated critical infrastructure. The bill creates new no-fly and no-trespass rules intended to protect sensitive sites and infrastructure from interference or intrusion by remotely piloted or autonomous unmanned systems.

Key provisions

  • Prohibits knowingly and intentionally using an unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations of:
    • a key facility,
    • a correctional facility,
    • a law enforcement facility, or
    • other critical infrastructure. (Subsec. 1)
  • If a facility is listed on the FAA’s registry of fixed site facilities (per section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, Pub. L. 114‑190), the bill expressly prohibits flying or causing an unmanned aircraft to hover over that facility. (Subsec. 2)
  • Beginning 90 days after the amendatory act’s effective date, it is unlawful to fly or cause an unmanned aircraft to hover over the listed facilities — but only to the extent not preempted by federal law. (Subsec. 3)
  • Beginning 90 days after the amendatory act’s effective date, it is unlawful to trespass on a listed facility by piloting or causing an unmanned vehicle (land- or water-based) to enter land or water that is part of the facility. (Subsec. 4)
  • Defines “critical infrastructure” as facilities designated by Michigan or that are part of sectors identified by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). “Unmanned aircraft” and “key facility” refer to existing statutory definitions; “unmanned vehicle” is added to cover remote or autonomous land/water vehicles. (Subsec. 5)

Exceptions

  • Public safety agencies operating unmanned aircraft/vehicles.
  • Commercial operators operating in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, authorizations, and exemptions.

Penalty

  • Violation is a felony punishable by up to 4 years imprisonment, or a fine up to $2,500, or both.

Who is affected

  • Recreational and commercial drone operators, remote/autonomous vehicle operators, owners/operators of designated facilities, law enforcement and public safety agencies, and businesses relying on unmanned systems near critical sites.

Timing, preemption, and implementation

  • Certain prohibitions take effect 90 days after the act’s effective date.
  • The statutory ban on flight is qualified by federal preemption — the bill recognizes limits where federal law and FAA authority apply.
  • Enforcement and identification of covered facilities will rely on state designations and the FAA fixed-site registry.

Legislative status & related bill

  • Introduced by Rep. William Bruck (filed March 14, 2025; reintroduced/processed December 2, 2025), referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Companion: SB 409.

Considerations

  • Interaction with FAA authority over airspace and drone operations is a central legal consideration; the bill explicitly carves in a preemption limitation.
  • Practical enforcement will hinge on identifying covered facilities, signage or public notice, and mechanisms to trace operators of unmanned systems.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.