Technology (Emerging Technology)

HB 2239 prohibits operating drones without written permission on school property, including grounds and aerial space of all school types (public, charter, private, etc.). It creates a new misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine up to $300 for unauthorized drone use near schools, while exempting school security personnel acting in their official duties. The bill specifically targets drone activity that could disrupt school safety or operations, defining "school entity" broadly to cover all educational institutions. This amendment to Pennsylvania's criminal code directly affects drone operators near schools and aims to prevent unauthorized aerial surveillance or intrusion.

HB 1926 amends Pennsylvania's burglary laws to specifically address the unlawful use of drones (unmanned aircraft) for criminal intrusion. It creates a new offense for using drones to trespass on private property, conduct unauthorized surveillance, or enter buildings without permission, directly affecting drone operators who engage in such activities. The bill establishes criminal penalties, including fines and potential jail time, for violating these provisions under Title 18. The legislation is currently under review by the Judiciary committee and has not yet advanced to a vote.

SB 245 establishes Pennsylvania's Regulatory Sandbox Program, allowing businesses to temporarily test innovative products and services - such as those using blockchain technology - in regulated sectors like finance and insurance without full compliance with certain state laws. The program is administered by the new Regulatory Relief Office (within the Governor's Office), which reviews applications and works with agencies to waive or suspend relevant regulations for approved participants. An advisory committee, including business representatives and legislators, provides input and can override agency rejections of applications. This directly affects businesses developing new offerings who seek a controlled environment to demonstrate innovations before full market rollout.

SB 939 establishes Pennsylvania's Office of Transformation and Opportunity and creates a regulatory sandbox program for artificial intelligence, data centers, and emerging technologies. It defines "high impact data centers" as facilities with 50+ megawatts of critical power, requiring owners to notify the office when they meet this threshold. The bill standardizes local regulations to prevent stricter rules for these facilities than for other industrial uses, ensuring permitting reviews occur within 30 days for complete applications. It also creates a testing program allowing businesses to trial new technologies under temporary regulatory flexibility while requiring consumer protections and annual reports to the legislature.

SB 468 allows Pennsylvania to form agreements with other states for drone (unmanned aircraft system) research and testing. It requires Governor approval for these agreements and specifies that drone operations must occur in certain counties (including defined population ranges) or with approved educational partners like schools or colleges offering aviation courses. The bill lets the state Transportation Department create temporary rules for drone operations without standard regulatory review, while ensuring compliance with federal and local laws. This primarily affects state agencies, educational institutions, and drone operators seeking to test or deploy drones across state lines.