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Bill

HB 58

Aviation; adoption of local ordinances, resolution, regulations, or policies that restrict the flight of unmanned aircraft systems over mass public gatherings; authorize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Clifton and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia law now prohibits cities and counties from restricting drone flights over mass public gatherings, centralizing airspace regulation at the state level and eliminating local drone control at community events.

Effective Date
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 58

Legislative bill overview

HB 58 prohibits Georgia municipalities and counties from adopting local ordinances that restrict unmanned aircraft systems (drones) from flying over mass public gatherings. The bill preempts local airspace regulation to state level, preventing cities and counties from implementing their own drone restrictions for events like concerts, sporting events, or protests.

Why is this important

This creates a statewide uniform drone policy but eliminates local governments' ability to address community-specific safety, privacy, or security concerns at public events. The practical effect is that drones can operate over large crowds without local regulatory barriers, which affects both public safety considerations and privacy expectations at gatherings.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control vs. state preemption: Cities lose authority to protect their constituents from drone surveillance or interference at local events, shifting power to the state level
  • Public safety and security gaps: Municipalities cannot restrict drone flights over crowds to prevent interference with emergency services or potential safety hazards specific to their events
  • Privacy concerns: Attendees at public gatherings lose local protections against aerial surveillance, with no local recourse for privacy violations occurring via drones
  • Enforcement complexity: Without local ordinances, enforcement of any restrictions falls entirely to state authorities, potentially creating response delays

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

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