Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015”.
Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a criminal penalty for launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property
In general— Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“1370. Launching drones that interfere with fighting wildfires affecting Federal property
“(a) Offense—Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly launches a drone in a place near a wildfire that threatens the real or personal property of the United States, or of any department or agency thereof, and is reckless as to whether that drone will interfere with fighting the fire, if the drone does interfere with that firefighting, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
“(b) Defense—It is a defense to a prosecution for an offense under this section that the drone was launched by a firefighter or other public safety officer acting in the course of official duty.”
Clerical amendment— The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: