§2. Regulation of unmanned aerial systems and unmanned aircraft systems; preemption

A. Subject to the provisions of Subsection C of this Section and except as otherwise provided by law:

(1) The state shall have exclusive jurisdiction to regulate all unmanned aircraft systems and all unmanned aerial systems.

(2) State law shall supersede and preempt any rule, regulation, code, or ordinance of any political subdivision or other unit of local government.

B. As used in this Section, the following phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Unmanned aerial system" means an unmanned aircraft and all associated support equipment, control station, data links, telemetry, communications, and navigation equipment necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft. The system may include drones, remote-controlled aircraft, unmanned aircraft, or any other such aircraft that is controlled autonomously by computer or remote control from the ground.

(2) "Unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned, powered aircraft that does not carry a human operator, may be autonomous or remotely piloted or operated, and may be expendable or recoverable. "Unmanned aircraft system" does not include any of the following:

(a) A satellite orbiting the earth.

(b) An unmanned aircraft system used by the federal government or a person who is acting pursuant to contract with the federal government to conduct surveillance of specific activities.

(c) An unmanned aircraft system used by the state government or a person who is acting pursuant to a contract with the state government to conduct surveillance of specific activities.

(d) An unmanned aircraft system used by a local government law enforcement agency or fire department.

(e) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee, agent, or contractor of any business that is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property belonging to such business.

(f) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee, agent, or contractor of any business that is regulated by a local franchising authority, while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property belonging to such business.

(g) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee, agent, or contractor of any business that is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission under the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 or under Part 73 of Title 47 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property belonging to such business.

(h) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee, agent, or contractor of a municipal or public utility while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property belonging to such municipal or public utility.

(i) An unmanned aircraft system used by a person, affiliate, employee, agent, or contractor of any business that is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration, while acting in the course and scope of his employment or agency relating to the operation, repair, or maintenance of a facility, equipment, servitude, or any property located on the immovable property belonging to such business.

C. If federal law or regulation preempts any provision of this Section, that provision of this Section shall be null.

Acts 2017, No. 238, §1, eff. June 14, 2017.