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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 23, 2015 01:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ed Gainey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislation Prohibiting Drones from Flying over Stadiums during Sporting Events |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which would prohibit the use of drones over stadiums during sporting events. As technology continues to rapidly advance, it has become clear that our current laws and regulations are alarmingly behind the times, particularly in regards to drones. Recently, there has been a rise in the number of incidents involving drones being flown over crowded stadiums during sporting events, including a case last year where a drone was flying over PNC Park during a Pittsburgh Pirates game. Stadiums such as Pittsburgh’s PNC Park and Heinz Field, which can hold approximately 40,000 and 68,000 people respectively, are ideal targets for those who would wish to inflict harm against our citizens. In such a setting, the reckless operation of a drone can present a tremendous safety and security risk to those in attendance. Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already introduced a rule prohibiting drones from flying over stadiums during a sporting event, the enforcement of this rule has been vague, irregular, and ineffective in preventing these incidents. As the FAA continues to drag its feet in considering new policies for the operation of drones, Pennsylvania’s law enforcement agencies desperately need well-defined guidance on how to confront this issue. To provide this guidance, my legislation will clearly and indisputably prohibit drones from flying over stadiums during sporting events. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to better direct our law enforcement personnel and protect public safety. |
Introduced as HB1684