Drone News: TX & OH Bills Against Drones, FL Bill, OR Bill Helps DFR, SkyeBrowse/Paladin Partner

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for
you this week. First, a controversial Texas bill aims to ban
certain drones for public safety use. Second, Florida considers a
bill allowing "reasonable force" against drones over private
property. Third, Oregon passes stricter penalties for drone
interference with emergency responders. And finally, SkyeBrowse
and Paladin partner for real-time 3D modeling in DFR programs.





And first up this week, let's talk about Texas House Bill 41.
This proposed legislation aims to ban certain drones, primarily
those manufactured in China, claiming it's to protect Texas from
foreign technology risks. However, this bill is facing MAJOR
pushback, especially from the public safety community in Texas.
At a recent hearing, firefighters, police, and search and rescue
professionals testified AGAINST the bill because it risks
removing critical tools they rely on daily. Furthermore, there's
the practical side. US drone manufacturers currently can't
produce the needed drones at scale or cost effectively to replace
the existing fleets immediately. HB41 could force agencies to
scrap perfectly good, effective equipment within five years,
potentially wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on more
expensive, less capable, and less reliable alternatives. We've
already seen examples where drones that would be banned under
HB41 saved lives or helped solve major crimes in Texas. This bill
feels less about security and more like protectionism that could
seriously hamper public safety efforts. It’s passed committee but
needs to clear the House Calendars Committee for a full vote. If
you're in Texas, the Drone Advocacy Alliance has resources, and
contacting the Calendars Committee directly is crucial.Next up,
if you're flying in Florida, you'll want to pay close attention
to Senate Bill 1422. This bill is advancing through the state
legislature and could allow homeowners to use "reasonable force"
to stop drones they believe are conducting surveillance over
their property below 500 feet. Now, this builds on Florida's
existing Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act, and it seems
fueled by privacy concerns, like reports of insurance companies
using drones for home inspections. We all value privacy, but this
bill raises some serious red flags.The Oregon House unanimously
passed House Bill 3426, which significantly bumps up the
penalties if you *intentionally* interfere with firefighters, law
enforcement, or search and rescue using a drone, it's now
potentially a Class C felony. That could mean up to 5 years in
prison and a $125,000 fine! Even *unintentional* interference is
now a Class B misdemeanor, carrying up to 6 months in jail and a
$2,500 fine. That's a pretty steep penalty for potentially not
knowing better.Typically between 100 and 500 feet, making any
unauthorized drone in the area a serious collision hazard.
Grounding air support, even for a short time, can have
devastating consequences during a fire or rescue operation.Tools
like geofencing can help, but ultimately, responsible flying and
checking for TFRs before every flight is critical. This bill
still needs Senate approval, but its unanimous House passage
shows strong support. It's a serious reminder: DON'T fly near
emergencies. Period. As always, please don't be that guy.