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SB 493MONTANASession 2025State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Montana establishes $500 fine for unauthorized drone flights under 200 feet over private property

Original title: Establish the offense of trespass by unmanned aerial vehicle

Last action · May 8, 2025: Chapter Number AssignedSponsor: Greg Hertz

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

Montana establishes the new criminal offense of criminal trespass by , prohibiting unauthorized drone flights 200 feet or lower over another person's property, punishable by a $500 fine upon conviction. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Why it matters

Property owners gain a legal tool against low-flying drones, while commercial drone operators, utility workers, and government agencies must operate under specific statutory exemptions to avoid criminal liability.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Property owners and residents

Property owners receive legal protections against unauthorized drone flights occurring 200 feet or lower over their property or residence.

Directly affected

Commercial drone operators

Drone operators face potential criminal fines unless operating under specific statutory exemptions such as holding an FAA license for legitimate business purposes.

Directly affected

Utility and broadband providers

Employees and contractors are explicitly exempted from the trespass offense when inspecting equipment and assessing property damage.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for flying a drone too low over someone's property in Montana?
A person convicted of criminal trespass by shall be fined $500.
Are utility workers exempt from the new drone trespass law?
Yes, employees or contractors of a utility or broadband provider are exempt when assessing property damage or inspecting equipment like cell towers.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

39 actions
  1. May 8, 2025Senate
    Chapter Number Assigned
  2. May 5, 2025SenateEnrolled
    (S) Signed by Governor
  3. Apr 25, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to Governor
  4. Apr 25, 2025House
    (H) Signed by Speaker
  5. Apr 21, 2025Senate
    (S) Signed by President
  6. Apr 13, 2025Senate
    (S) Returned from Enrolling
Show 33 earlier actions
  1. Apr 11, 2025Senate
    (S) Sent to Enrolling
  2. Apr 11, 2025House
    (H) 3rd Reading
  3. Apr 11, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  4. Apr 10, 2025House
    (H) 2nd Reading
  5. Apr 10, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  6. Apr 9, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Report
  7. Apr 9, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Executive Action
  8. Apr 7, 2025House
    (H) Hearing
  9. Mar 24, 2025Senate
    (S) Fiscal Note Unsigned
  10. Mar 24, 2025Senate
    (S) Fiscal Note Received
  11. Mar 20, 2025Senate
    (S) Fiscal Note Requested
  12. Mar 17, 2025House
    (H) 1st Reading
  13. Mar 17, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Referred to Committee
  14. Mar 7, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to House
  15. Mar 6, 2025Senate
    (S) 3rd Reading
  16. Mar 6, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  17. Mar 5, 2025Senate
    (S) 2nd Reading
  18. Mar 5, 2025Senate
    (S) 2nd Reading Motion to Amend
  19. Mar 5, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  20. Mar 4, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Report
  21. Mar 4, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Executive Action
  22. Mar 3, 2025Senate
    (S) Hearing
  23. Feb 26, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Referred to Committee
  24. Feb 26, 2025Senate
    (S) 1st Reading
  25. Feb 25, 2025SenateIntroduced
    (S) Introduced
  26. Feb 25, 2025House
    (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
  27. Feb 24, 2025House
    (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
  28. Feb 24, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Assembly
  29. Feb 24, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
  30. Feb 23, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
  31. Feb 18, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Edit
  32. Feb 17, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Legal Review
  33. Nov 11, 2024House
    (LC) Drafter Assigned

Version history

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View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Greg HertzSenate · District 7RepublicanPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Federal Aviation Administration
OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration“Issuing active licenses for operators conducting legitimate business purposes”Map →

Sources

Open source document

bills.legmt.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy30
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz40
    Current news / social attention level

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