UT drone-wildfire law
Utah HB 217 — Drone Interference With Emergency Operations
Utah · Utah Code §§ 65A-3-2.5, 76-6-2410
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- May 9, 2017
- Applies to
- All drone operators in Utah
- Enforced by
- Utah Department of Public Safety; Utah Department of Natural Resources
Utah responded to repeated incidents of hobby drones grounding aerial firefighting by criminalizing drone operation that interferes with manned aircraft fighting wildfires, conducting search-and-rescue, or supporting law enforcement, and authorizing public-safety agencies to disable or neutralize an intruding drone.
Who is protected: Emergency-response personnel; the public served by aerial firefighting and SAR
Legal detail
Utah Code §§ 65A-3-2.5, 76-6-2410, added/amended by HB 217 of 2017; predecessor SB 167 (2016) authorized neutralization of wildfire-area drones.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Utah |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | March 24, 2017 |
| Citation | Utah Code §§ 65A-3-2.5, 76-6-2410 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Class B misdemeanor (interference); third-degree felony (substantial bodily injury); civil liability for suppression costs |
| Topics | government use of AI · consumer protection · police and surveillance AI |
| Bill text | Utah Legislature — HB 217 (2017 General Session) |
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