State Rep. Brian BeGole has sponsored legislation within a new bipartisan plan that will protect state and national security interests, provide clarity for law enforcement, and establish a first-in-the-nation framework for drone use in Michigan.

The “S.H.I.E.L.D. Michigan” plan – short for Securing Homeland & Infrastructure with Emerging Laws for Drones – balances innovation with accountability to put Michigan on the cutting edge of how to address a rapidly evolving technology.

Legislation from BeGole, who worked in law enforcement for 32 years including six as a county sheriff, will authorize local law enforcement agencies to disable or take down drones that pose a public safety threat or violate FAA regulations.

“When we look at our state laws, there’s really nothing in there that proactively works to stop drones from potentially impacting sporting events, festivals, parades, or other critical infrastructure and facilities in our state,” BeGole said. “That’s a big public safety problem when you’ve seen what drones are capable of across the globe when in the wrong hands. These bills will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep people safe. They protect private property rights, and they understand that drones have several benefits but need some common-sense guardrails for use too.”

On top of providing law enforcement with more capability to protect against reckless activity and unauthorized drone access, the bills ramp up geofencing technology, prohibit state and local public entities from purchasing or using drones with components manufactured by companies of concern as defined by federal standards, and establish restrictions prohibiting drones from flying near key facilities like power plants, correctional institutions and law enforcement buildings.

The plan also protects private property rights by prohibiting drone operators from trespassing over private property without consent.

More than 1 million drones are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and thousands are in flight across the skies over both the United States and Michigan on any given day. While the state has moved to enact some drone-related laws in recent years, such as making it illegal to interfere with emergency responders using drones, BeGole said more is needed.

“Officers needs to be able to respond quickly to potential dangers, and that includes ones in the air,” BeGole said. “If a local ordinance says you can’t fly a drone over a Detroit Tigers game, I don’t see why an unidentified drone should be flying over a nuclear power plant either. Drones have a ton of practical commercial uses and hobbyists use them every day, but elected officials have a responsibility to protect critical infrastructure and keep the public safe. These bills work to blend those fundamental truths together. It’s a needed framework for our state.”

The “S.H.I.E.L.D. Michigan” bills will soon be formally read into the record upon introduction.