Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1230: Aviation; prohibit operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration
Status: Signed into law, May 5, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration; to provide for a definition; to provide for exceptions; to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition; to provide for violations and penalties; to declare such systems contraband; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration; to provide for a definition; to provide for exceptions; to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition; to provide for violations and penalties; to declare such systems contraband; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration; to provide for a definition; to provide for exceptions; to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition; to provide for violations and penalties; to declare such systems contraband; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, is amended by revising Code Section 6-1-4, relating to regulation of the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft system, preemption, unauthorized operation at ticketed entertainment event, penalty, and exemptions, as follows: "6-1-4. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: H. B. 1230 LC 39 4917 (1) 'Place of incarceration' means any prison, probation detention center, jail, or institution, including any state, federal, local, or privately operated facility, used for the purpose of incarcerating criminals or detainees. (2) 'Ticketed entertainment event' means any music, sporting, or performing arts event held in a location with gated entries or barriers that prevent access to the general public and in which …
Sponsors
- Shawn Still (R, 48) · primary sponsor
- Jones, Todd (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)
- Clinton Crowe (R, 118)
- Bill Hitchens (R, 161)
- Eddie Lumsden (R, 12)
Latest actions
- : Effective Date
- : Act 388
- : House Date Signed by Governor
- : House Sent to Governor
- : Senate Passed/Adopted
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Taken from Table
- : Senate Tabled
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported
Votes
- Senate Vote #869 (March 27, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #593 (March 3, 2026): 166 yea, 2 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1230?
- HB1230 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Aviation; prohibit operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration.
- What does HB1230 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration; to provide for a definition; to provide for exceptions; to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition; to provide for violations and penalties; to declare such systems contraband; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1230?
- Signed into law as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1230?
- Shawn Still (R, 48), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1230?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72951
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.