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HB 429ALABAMASession 2026rsState BillBecame law
Enacted

Alabama bans drone flights within 400 feet of ticketed entertainment events starting October 2026

Original title: Crimes and offenses; unmanned aircraft systems, operation near ticketed entertainment events prohibited

Last action · March 31, 2026: EnactedSponsor: Neil Rafferty

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

Operating an within 400 feet of or above a becomes unlawful starting October 1, 2026, punishable by a fine of up to $500 for a first offense and a for subsequent offenses.

Why it matters

Drone operators face criminal misdemeanor charges and financial penalties for flying near enclosed public or private entertainment venues without specific authorization or meeting designated employment and property exemptions.

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

Drone Operators

Operators face a 400-foot buffer restriction around ticketed events, with fines up to $500 for initial violations and misdemeanor charges for subsequent infractions.

Directly affected

Event Organizers and Property Owners

Organizers gain the authority to grant legal consent to specific drone operators to fly within the restricted buffer zone.

Directly affected

Law Enforcement and Emergency Agencies

Agency employees and volunteers are granted explicit exemptions to operate unmanned aircraft systems while conducting official business.

Directly affected

Utility Service Providers

Utility employees conducting official business are exempt from the prohibition against operating drones near ticketed events.

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 considered a ticketed entertainment event under this law?
It includes any music, sporting, or performing arts event held in a location with gated entries or barriers preventing public access, where a revocable license is required to attend.
Are middle school and high school sports games affected by this ban?
No, middle school and high school sports events are explicitly exempt from the drone restriction.
What are the penalties for violating the drone restriction?
A first violation carries a fine of up to $500, while a second or subsequent violation is a .
Can property owners fly drones over their own land during an event?
Yes, if they own the property and the drone, follow federal regulations, and do not use the drone for commercial purposes, broadcasting, monitoring, or interfering with the event.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Became law.

Procedural history

25 actions
  1. Mar 31, 2026HouseEnrolled
    Enacted
  2. Mar 17, 2026Senate
    Signature Requested
  3. Mar 17, 2026HouseEnrolled
    Delivered to Governor
  4. Mar 17, 2026House
    Enrolled
  5. Mar 12, 2026House
    Ready to Enroll
  6. Mar 12, 2026House
    Rafferty Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 893
Show 19 earlier actions
  1. Mar 10, 2026SenateFloor
    Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 781
  2. Mar 10, 2026Senate
    Figures motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 780
  3. Mar 10, 2026Senate
    Figures 1st Amendment Offered
  4. Mar 10, 2026Senate
    Third Reading in Second House
  5. Mar 3, 2026Senate
    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
  6. Mar 3, 2026SenateCommittee
    Reported Out of Committee Second House
  7. Feb 25, 2026SenateCommittee
    Pending Committee Action in Second House
  8. Feb 25, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
  9. Feb 24, 2026House
    Engrossed
  10. Feb 24, 2026HouseFloor
    Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 585
  11. Feb 24, 2026House
    Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 584
  12. Feb 24, 2026House
    Pettus 1st Amendment Offered
  13. Feb 24, 2026House
    Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 583
  14. Feb 24, 2026House
    Bedsole 1st Amendment Offered
  15. Feb 24, 2026House
    Third Reading in House of Origin
  16. Feb 19, 2026House
    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
  17. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee
    Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
  18. Feb 12, 2026HouseCommittee
    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
  19. Feb 12, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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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

Neil RaffertyHouse · District 54DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Tillman, Neil Rafferty, England and 3 more
PersonTillman“Co-sponsor of HB 429”Map →
PersonNeil Rafferty“Lead sponsor of HB 429 in the House of Representatives”Map →
PersonEngland“Co-sponsor of HB 429”Map →
locationAlabama“State where the legislation was enacted”Map →
PersonHendrix“Co-sponsor of HB 429”Map →
PersonJohn Treadwell“Clerk of the House of Representatives”Map →

Sources

Open source document

alison.legislature.state.al.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment15
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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