SB 9 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Adds federal and state military installations and facilities to the locations over which the use of an unmanned aircraft system is prohibited. (8/1/25)

SB 9 expands restrictions on drone use by adding federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where unmanned aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited. This directly affects drone operators, including hobbyists and commercial users, who would now be barred from flying drones near military bases and related facilities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these sites in the prohibited zones, updating the legal definition without changing penalty terms. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for further consideration.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 17, 2025 Signed Jun 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB9 Original → SB9 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the list of prohibited areas for drone use to explicitly include federal and state military installations and facilities. It also clarifies the legal definition of a 'military installation' to cover a broader range of activities, such as drills, exercises, and logistical support. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for violations by increasing the maximum prison term from one year to five years and mandates the hard labor component.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited drone operations to specifically target military bases and facilities, including temporary installations used for defense or security operations.

SCOPE

Added federal and state military installations and facilities to the list of locations where drone use is prohibited without written consent.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'military installation or facility' to include temporary sites used for defense, security, drills, exercises, or logistical support.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the maximum penalty for unauthorized drone use from one year to five years of imprisonment and required that the imprisonment be at hard labor.

Updated the fine range for violations to be between $2,000 and $5,000.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the court must order the forfeiture and destruction or disposal of the drone used in the offense.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025 · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 37

Apr 22, 2025

D Democratic11

9 Yea 2

81% Yea

R Republican26

25 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 8, 2025

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (9-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

upper

1 primary · 26 co-sponsors