South Carolina lawmakers consider new drone restrictions, penalties

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina lawmakers are considering new restrictions and tougher penalties for drone pilots, a move supporters say would give state and local law enforcement more authority to crack down on dangerous and illegal flights.

A bill moving through the State House would create comprehensive state-level drone laws that closely mirror existing Federal Aviation Administration regulations. While the FAA currently sets most drone rules, South Carolina has limited state statutes governing where and how drones can be used.

Supporters argue that the gap leaves local authorities with few options when drone operators violate rules or put public safety at risk.

“We’re a little bit behind on the times,” said Lt. Aubrey Richardson with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Richardson recalled an incident two years ago when a drone nearly collided with a law enforcement helicopter during active flight operations.

“The drone operator should not have been operating there within that boundary, but was,” Richardson said. “And all it is, is ‘Hey, you can’t do that here. What’s your name?’ We’ll pass it along to the FAA. There’s no law enforcement authority that we have to do anything.”

Under the proposed legislation, that could change. The bill would allow state and local law enforcement to charge drone operators with state crimes in certain situations. Penalties could range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the offense.

The legislation would prohibit drone flights within 1,000 feet of power plants and water treatment facilities, as well as within 1,500 feet of prisons and military bases. It would also restrict flights over private property if they invade privacy, create a nuisance, or are used to harass someone.

Rep. Brandon Cox, a Republican from Berkeley County and a sponsor of the bill, said it’s about giving law enforcement more resources.

“The intent of this is really to give our law enforcement folks some teeth,” Cox said. “Right now, there are some teeth with the FAA. However, our local and state law enforcement are not necessarily able to prosecute or detain someone for nefarious flights.”

Another supporter, Rep. Travis Moore, a Republican from Spartanburg, said advancements in technology require lawmakers to continually revisit state laws.

“As technology continues to progress, we’ve got to continue to update our laws to address how these technologies are being used,” Moore said.

The push for stronger drone restrictions also comes as drone smuggling at prisons has become a growing concern across South Carolina and nationwide.

The South Carolina Department of Corrections said supply drops at state prisons are a big concern. In one incident late last year, authorities say a drone was used in an attempt to smuggle crab legs, steaks, and cigarettes into a Midlands correctional facility.

“You can see right now there are delivery devices because they dropped that at the Department of Corrections,” Cox said. “And if they can do that behind the wall of a prison, what can they do on a military base?”

Supporters of the bill at both the state and federal levels say stronger enforcement tools are needed as drone ownership continues to grow, balancing recreational and commercial use with privacy and public safety.

The bill is expected to receive a vote in full committee this week. If approved, it would move to the full House floor for consideration.

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