You Won’t Believe This State Drone Law That Just Passed!

This video has two purposes. Firstly, I genuinely want to assist those of you responsible for drafting drone regulations in your state—any legislation related to drones. I aim to help educate you, whether you’re drafting bills or voting on them. There’s still much to learn about drones, and I believe some legislators need more Education. I hope to do that today, saving you time and money because many existing regulations are invalid. Let’s create valid rules together. If you want to make drone laws, I’m here to help.

Secondly, I want to inform you about the most egregiously ignorant drone law recently passed in one of our states. It’s mind-blowing. For those familiar with drones and their regulations, this one is historic—it’s absurd. Lawmakers and anyone voting on drone-related matters in your state, pay close attention.

Demonstrating Drone Law Basics

This is my drone—one of many I own—and this is its remote. I’m on public land right now, at a baseball field where I fly often because it’s a great spot. I’m placing the drone on the pavement. Any legislation about this drone while it’s on the ground is fine. You can say, “Hey, you can’t fly from there, launch your drone there, land it there, or stand there to fly it.” That’s acceptable on public land.

On private property, like my driveway, I can fly as much as I want. But if you want to create a public law in your state, city, or municipality stating you can’t launch, stand, or land there, go ahead. That’s fine; it’s unlikely to be challenged successfully from a legal standpoint. Now, watch closely—this is crucial. See the drone in the air? It’s airborne now.

Federal Authority Over Airspace

Any regulations about what I can do with this drone while it’s in the air are invalid and won’t hold up. You can’t dictate how high I can fly or how close I can get to anything. At the state level, you have no authority to regulate an aircraft in flight. Only the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs what can and can’t be done with a drone in the air—from a nanometer above the ground upward. I’m unsure how far FAA authority extends into space, but states cannot regulate these aspects. This is the FAA’s domain.

Even though it makes sense to restrict drones from flying over sensitive areas like prisons, critical infrastructure, or dams, state-level rules about these will always lose in court due to federal preemption. The FAA has unequivocal authority over airspace and aerial activities. I hope that’s clear, because one of the most foolish drone laws ever passed—and I can’t believe it made it through—did so in Connecticut. It went through the House, the Senate, and the governor signed it, attached to unrelated legislation. I’ll explain shortly, but these Connecticut rules won’t hold up. If someone gets arrested for violating them and goes to court, they’ll win every time. It’s a rule that shouldn’t exist.

The Absurd Connecticut Drone Law

Let’s head inside—it’s windy out here—and discuss the laws just passed in Connecticut. I know legislators nationwide are busy with many bills, but Connecticut lawmakers passed one of the most ignorant drone laws and ban legislations ever. You won’t believe what bill they attached it to for passage. More states are trying to ban drones made in China and regulate how and where they can fly. The New Jersey Drone Incident hasn’t helped, fueling fear, uncertainty, and ignorant legislation. This Connecticut law will make your blood boil—I can’t believe it passed.

It’s called House Bill 7066, originally unrelated to drones until this was added. The bill addresses school personnel interactions with immigration authorities, student athlete endorsement compensation rules, and appropriations for nonprofits. Then, it includes a Chinese drone ban and flight restriction bill. It’s bizarre how disconnected these topics are—absolutely ridiculous they’re combined. The appropriations support various nonprofits, none drone-related. In North Dakota, we had funding to replace drones, but nothing like that here risks sparking unrelated political debate.

Details of the Connecticut Legislation

Section five of the bill introduces the drone legislation, banning drones from Countries designated as covered entities—essentially China and Russia. Starting October 1, 2026, about a year and a half from now, no Connecticut state agency can purchase drones from these countries. By October 1, 2028, roughly three and a half years from now, no agency can operate them. If there’s a silver lining, it’s the time given for alternatives to DJI and Autel to emerge, but it’s still unnecessary. These clueless legislators are clearly being coached—by whom, I’ll let you guess.

Why call them clueless? They’ve outlawed attaching weapons to drones—shocking, right? Except it’s already a federal rule, illegal for ages. Did they not research federal law before drafting this redundant bill? The sponsors didn’t, because the most absurd part is their attempt to regulate flight altitude and locations.

Unenforceable Flight Restrictions

The bill defines critical infrastructure—manufacturing plants, communication pipelines, television and radio stations, harbors, reservoirs, and more. It states recreational drone pilots can’t fly below 250 feet or within 100 feet of these areas. Which is it? If you must stay 100 feet away, why mention 250 feet above? It’s nonsensical. It also bans surveillance—photos or videos—of these places without permission. So, in Connecticut, you can’t take aerial shots of a dam, harbor, radio station, substation, or pipeline recreationally. Commercially, with permission, it’s allowed—but from whom? Who do you call for approval?

You can photograph these with a camera or phone, but not a drone—how stupid is that? The 250-foot rule is unenforceable. The national airspace system is governed solely by the FAA. Any state attempt to regulate drone flight succumbs to federal preemption. Picture this: Joe flies his drone over a harbor, snapping boat photos. A nosy bystander calls the cops, citing the new rule. Police arrest Joe, charging him with a misdemeanor—potentially 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Joe’s attorney will dismantle this fake law. Congratulations, Connecticut—you’ve passed an unenforceable rule. Your lack of research will cost the state untold legal fees and time. This is one of the dumbest drone laws ever, and I expect more like it nationwide. If you’re in Connecticut, share this with your uninformed lawmakers. Will it help? Probably not, but a few might see the bill’s folly.

In North Dakota, we recently tried banning DJI and other drones for “national security,” but it failed—partly due to my testimony against it. I was interviewed about it; watch for that video soon. What do you think of Connecticut’s new drone law? Does your state have drone legislation brewing? I heard Texas might legalize shooting down drones—unbelievable. Share any stupid drone regulations in your state in the comments; I want to read them.

Closing Thoughts

Click thumbs up as you leave today and subscribe—we’re entering the best drone-flying season. Great content is coming, and I’d love you to join the community. Have a great day, everyone. Thank you for watching. As always, fly safe and fly smart.

Photo of Mavic 3 Pro courtesy of Billy Kyle.