HB 940: CRIME: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX) - Louisiana

HB940 Original → HB940 Act 854 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was re-enrolled as Act 854, updating the legislative title to include new sections on definitions, duties for specific state offices, and a new joint task force. The scope expanded to include exemptions for local law enforcement and public utilities, while adding strict reporting requirements for agencies conducting drone interceptions.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly exempts local government law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and public utility workers from the new unmanned aircraft system regulations, whereas the original version focused primarily on state and federal entities.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Intercept' to clarify authorized actions like disabling or seizing drones, and renumbered the 'Unmanned aircraft system' definition to include specific exclusions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the reporting deadline for interception incidents from 72 hours to an annual summary submitted by January 30th.

Updated the oversight body for procurement from a 'joint authority' to a 'task force' assisted by the office of technology services.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement that all interception equipment must comply with applicable state and federal laws.

SCOPE

Expanded the definition of excluded entities to include local government law enforcement, fire departments, and utility workers performing maintenance.

HB940 Enrolled → HB940 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an enrolled version to an original draft, resulting in significant substantive changes to the statute's scope and enforcement mechanisms. The most critical change is the replacement of a 'Joint Task Force' with a 'Joint Authority' composed of the Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, and the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association. Additionally, the reporting requirement for interception incidents was changed from being submitted to the task force to being submitted directly to the Office of the Attorney General within 72 hours. The bill also now explicitly requires consultation with the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and mandates that procurement standards be developed in consultation with this new joint authority.

Scope change

The bill's scope of oversight changed from a task force model to a joint authority model involving the Department of Public Safety, State Police, and Sheriffs' Association, and the reporting destination for interception incidents shifted from the task force to the Office of the Attorney General.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced the 'Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Joint Task Force' with a 'Joint Authority' consisting of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, the Office of State Police, and the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the recipient of annual training and operational incident summaries from the task force to the Office of the Attorney General.

Added a requirement for the office of technology services and GOHSEP to consult with the joint authority when developing uniform procurement standards.

TIMELINE

Added a specific requirement that interception events must be reported to the Office of the Attorney General within seventy-two hours.

ELIGIBILITY

Added the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association as a required member of the oversight body.

HB940 Re-Reengrossed → HB940 Enrolled · 6 edits · May 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, changing its status from a re-engrossed draft to the final law. The substantive content remains consistent with the previous version, defining key terms like 'unmanned aircraft system' and establishing rules for law enforcement to intercept or mitigate drone threats. It also sets requirements for training, record-keeping, and procurement exemptions for related technology.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on regulating the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) by law enforcement and defining the legal framework for their interception and forensic analysis.

TECHNICAL

The document status changed from 'RE-REENGROSSED' to 'ENROLLED', indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is now final law.

Page numbering was updated from 'Page 1 of 9' to 'Page 1 of 7', reflecting the removal of the introductory title page and other non-substantive text.

The header line 'CRIME: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system' was removed, as this descriptive text is not part of the actual legal code.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'unmanned aircraft system' was finalized, explicitly excluding satellites, federal/state/local government systems used for specific contracts, and systems used by regulated utilities for maintenance.

REQUIREMENT

Requirements for law enforcement were finalized, mandating adherence to rules of engagement, documentation of interceptions, and completion of specific training programs.

Procurement exemptions for IT equipment and software related to drone mitigation were finalized, allowing agencies to bypass standard office of technology services oversight for these specific purchases.

HB940 Reengrossed → HB940 Re-Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 27, 2026

MINOR

The bill was re-engrossed to expand its scope beyond just unmanned aircraft systems to include specific state statutes regarding public records and administrative procedures. This change ensures the new unmanned aircraft laws align with broader transparency requirements and clarifies the legal framework for law enforcement training and reporting.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly amend and reenact existing statutes (R.S. 44:4.1, R.S. 42:17, and R.S. 49:954) related to public records, administrative procedures, and open meetings, in addition to the primary subject of unmanned aircraft systems.

SCOPE

Added amendments to R.S. 44:4.1(B)(7), R.S. 42:17(F), and R.S. 49:954(F) to integrate unmanned aircraft regulations with public records and administrative law.

DEFINITION

Reordered and slightly modified the list of excluded unmanned aircraft systems, specifically adjusting the exclusion for state government contractors to ensure clarity.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies to explicitly state that annual training summaries are exempt from public disclosure.

HB940 Engrossed → HB940 Reengrossed · 5 edits · May 27, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to shift focus from a 'joint authority' to a 'task force' and to replace the concept of 'rules of engagement' with 'rules of engagement' governing unmanned aircraft systems. Key changes include updating definitions to reflect the new task force structure, modifying reporting requirements from the Attorney General to the task force, and adding exemptions for IT equipment procurement to streamline acquisition processes.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include rulemaking and a legal presumption regarding immunity for law enforcement actions involving unmanned aircraft systems.

DEFINITION

The 'joint authority' definition was replaced with a 'task force' definition, changing the operational leadership structure for counter-drone efforts.

The definition of 'rules of engagement' was updated to specifically govern how agencies respond to unmanned aircraft systems.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that forensic laboratories used for drone interception must be accredited or approved by the task force.

A new exemption was added to allow the purchase, lease, or rental of IT equipment and software related to drone mitigation without standard procurement oversight.

ENFORCEMENT

Reporting obligations for training and operational incidents were changed to be submitted to the task force instead of the office of the attorney general.

CRIME: Provides relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors