CTA Lobbying to Kill Oregon Bill It Says Would Thwart Innovation of Drones

A bill winding its way through the Oregon legislature that would decriminalize the use of drones for firing bullets when properly authorized by the FAA or local police is drawing the wrath of CTA for fear that the wording in one section of the legislation would thwart the commercialization of drones. “Oregon, call your senators to encourage them" to defeat HB-3047, "which prevents drone innovation,” CTA President Gary Shapiro tweeted Friday. HB-3047, which cleared the Oregon House Thursday, contains a provision that would bar individuals from operating drones over private property “in a manner so as to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly harass or annoy the owner or occupant of the privately owned premises.” CTA wrote in a policy blog post that Oregon lawmakers, through the wording in that section of HB-3047, “want to slow drone innovation with a bill that prohibits drone flights that ‘annoy.’ This rule is impossible to define and totally senseless -- Oregon already has laws in place to protect privacy and prevent harassment. Don’t let an overly-broad bill crush drone use in your state.” Representatives of HB-3047's sponsors didn’t comment Monday.