Earlier this week, the Michigan State Capitol Commission voted unanimously to ban unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from flying over the state Capitol grounds unless the operators are given special permission from the commission.
According to Michigan state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, members of the commission expressed their wish to have the legislature toughen the policy through further legislation.
Now, Jones has announced that he has requested this type of law, which would make it illegal to fly a drone around the Michigan Capitol if the operator does not have a permit from the Michigan State Capitol Commission.
“We don’t need drones flying around the Capitol and possibly crashing into visiting families or students or damaging the historic building,” explains Jones.
“My main concern is the safety of the visiting public. If the Capitol Commission wants to give out permits to trained drone photographers for a wedding, that would be appropriate,” he continues.
“But buzzing the Capitol with drones is inappropriate and potentially dangerous.”
If enacted, Jones’ measure would put the policy into state law. The state senator says he is working on the issue and plans to bring the legislation before the Senate in the coming weeks.
