SB 1160: drones; entertainment districts; prohibition - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version (02/23/2026) → Chaptered Version · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized into law after being approved by the Governor, changing the document status from a Senate draft to a Chaptered House version. The substantive policy changes include clarifying the definition of 'ticketed entertainment events' to require gated access and specific venue types, and expanding exemptions to include city, town, county, and state employees in addition to first responders and emergency workers.

Scope change

The scope of exemptions for unmanned aircraft operations was expanded to include government employees acting in their official capacity, and the definition of regulated entertainment venues was refined to include specific structural requirements.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'ticketed entertainment event' was changed from a single paragraph to a list of specific criteria, requiring the event to have gated entries, issued entry evidence, and be held outdoors, at a venue with a retractable roof, or in a facility with at least 1,000 attendees.

ELIGIBILITY

The exemption for operating drones near entertainment events was expanded to include city, town, county, and state employees acting in their official capacity, alongside existing exemptions for first responders and emergency workers.

TECHNICAL

The document text was updated to reflect final legislative approval, including the Governor's signature date and filing date with the Secretary of State.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (06/11/2026) · 5 edits · Jun 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from an Introduced to a House Engrossed version, indicating it has passed the Senate and is moving to the House. The primary substantive change involves expanding the safety zone for drones around ticketed entertainment events from 400 feet to 5,280 feet (one mile) and clarifying the definition of a 'ticketed entertainment event' to include specific venue types and capacity requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly expanded by increasing the prohibited flight distance around entertainment events from 400 feet to 5,280 feet (one mile), thereby restricting drone operations in a much larger area around concerts and sporting events.

REQUIREMENT

The maximum distance for prohibited drone flights around ticketed events was increased from 400 feet to 5,280 feet (one mile).

The requirement for consent from event organizers was changed from oral consent to requiring written consent.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'ticketed entertainment event' was updated to require gated entry, proof of right of entry, and specific venue criteria (outdoors, retractable roof, or capacity of at least 1,000 attendees).

The definition of 'civil unmanned aircraft' was expanded to include 'an emergency worker' alongside first responders as an exemption.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'Introduced Version' to 'House Engrossed Version' and the subtitle was changed from 'entertainment districts' to 'entertainment events'.

House Engrossed Version (06/11/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (02/23/2026) · 4 edits · Jun 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was transferred from the House to the Senate version, resulting in significant changes to how drone operations near ticketed events are regulated. The definition of a 'ticketed entertainment event' was simplified to require a revocable license for attendance, removing specific criteria about venue capacity and roof types. Additionally, the list of exemptions for first responders and emergency workers was shortened, and minor formatting adjustments were made throughout the text.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding drone restrictions near events was narrowed by removing specific venue requirements (capacity and roof type) from the definition of a ticketed event, while the exemption scope for first responders was reduced by removing references to city, town, or county employees.

DEFINITION

The definition of a 'ticketed entertainment event' was changed from a list of specific venue conditions (like capacity and roof type) to a single requirement that a revocable license is needed for attendance.

ELIGIBILITY

The exemption for first responders and emergency workers was modified to remove references to city, town, county, or state employees, limiting the exemption to individuals acting in their official capacity or supporting emergency management.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for drone operators near ticketed events was clarified to explicitly state that written consent is needed unless a revocable license is required for entry.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made, including updating the bill version header from House to Senate and adding extra spaces in some paragraphs.

drones; entertainment districts; prohibition

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