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AB 768

Relating to: operation of drones over certain utility facilities and providing a penalty.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Dittrich and 12 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill AB 768 prohibits drone operation over utility facilities and establishes penalties to protect critical infrastructure from potential disruption or unauthorized access.

Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
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Bill Summary · AB 768

Legislative bill overview

AB 768 prohibits the operation of drones over certain utility facilities in Wisconsin and establishes penalties for violations. The bill appears designed to protect critical infrastructure from potential drone-related disruptions or security threats by restricting unmanned aircraft operations in designated areas around utilities.

Why is this important

Drone technology has become increasingly accessible, raising legitimate concerns about accidental or intentional interference with power generation, transmission, and water treatment facilities. Unauthorized drone activity near utilities could cause service disruptions affecting thousands of residents, making infrastructure protection a genuine public safety consideration.

Potential points of contention

  • Vague facility definitions: The bill's scope depends heavily on how "certain utility facilities" are defined—overly broad language could restrict legitimate commercial or recreational drone use far beyond actual risk areas
  • Balancing security with innovation: Restricting drone airspace may limit beneficial uses like infrastructure inspection, maintenance monitoring, and emergency response applications that utilities themselves increasingly rely on
  • Enforcement and penalty clarity: Without clear definitions of violation severity and proportionate penalties, enforcement could become inconsistent or create undue hardship for accidental violations

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

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