ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: PS DPA 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 24-3-3-0-0

House: JUD DP 6-1-0-2

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

SB 1160: drones; entertainment districts; prohibition

NOW: drones; entertainment events; prohibition

Sponsor: Senator Dunn, LD 25

Caucus & COW

Overview

Prohibits flying a civil unmanned aircraft (drone) within 5,280 feet (one mile) of a ticketed entertainment event unless the operator falls within specified exceptions.

History

It is unlawful to operate a model aircraft or drone in ways that violate applicable federal law and rule, or that interfere with emergency service operations. It is also a felony to intentionally use an unmanned aircraft or system to photograph or loiter over a critical facility in furtherance of a criminal offense. Statute broadly preempts local regulation by providing that, except as otherwise authorized by law, municipalities may not regulate the ownership or operation of drones (A.R.S. § 13-3729).

FAA rule prohibits most drone operations within three nautical miles of covered stadiums and similar venues during certain major sporting events including MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football and major motor racing series. The FAA’s Sporting Event Automated Monitoring System provides the public with near real-time event listings to help drone operators identify when and where these temporary stadium flight restrictions are active (FAA, Stadiums and Sporting Events).

Provisions

1.   Makes it a class 1 misdemeanor for a person to operate a drone within one mile of, or one mile above, a ticketed entertainment event unless the person:

a.   obtains written consent from the event;

b.   is an employee of the event conducting official business;

c. is an employee of a utility company conducting official business; or

d.   is operating on his own private property and is not using the craft for commercial purposes, to record for the purposes of commercial broadcasting or to interfere with the event. (Sec. 1)

2.   Defines ticketed entertainment event. (Sec. 1)

3.   Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

 

 

 

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Initials NM                SB 1160

3/04/2026        Page 0 Caucus & COW

 

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