Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

49 U.S.C. § 46320 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 49. Transportation § 46320. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a)In general.--Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and in so doing knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000.

(b)Exceptions.--This section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response.

(c)Compromise and setoff.--

(1)Compromise.--The United States Government may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section.

(2)Setoff.--The United States Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from the amounts the Government owes the person liable for the penalty.

(d)Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Wildfire.--The term “wildfire” has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m).

(2)Wildfire suppression.--The term “wildfire suppression” means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 49 U.S.C. § 46320 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 49. Transportation § 46320. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-49-transportation/49-usc-sect-46320/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard