Latest news with #HB2733
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
HB 2755: New AZ law to allow law enforcement to shoot down drug-carrying drones at the border
The Brief A new Arizona law will help law enforcement target drug-carrying drones at the southern border. HB 2733 shields public entities and public employees from damage liability when they intercept, capture, disable, shoot, destroy, or otherwise render inoperative a drone within 15 miles of the southern border. Supporters say the new law is crucial in protecting Arizonans' livelihoods. PHOENIX - A new Arizona law is helping law enforcement target drones that transport narcotics into the state, Lawmakers say drones are being used daily to carry drugs like fentanyl into Arizona, and under the previous law, officers in the state were not allowed to target those drones. That, however, has changed with House Bill 2733. What we know HB 2733, which was signed into law in April, gives officers legal protection to take down drones suspected of supporting criminal activity within 15 miles of Arizona's international border. Officers will also not be liable for any damages caused by the interception. "A public entity or public employee is not liable to an unmanned aircraft operator for any injury to personal property caused by a peace officer intercepting, capturing, disabling, shooting, destroying or otherwise rendering inoperative an unmanned aircraft within fifteen miles of this state's international border if the peace officer had reasonable suspicion that the unmanned aircraft was being used to commit a violation of title 13, chapter 23, 34 or 34.1," read the new law. On May 12, State Rep. David Marshall and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes both talked about how the law will help Arizona communities, saying it's crucial in protecting Arizonans' livelihoods, and combating the opioid crisis. What they're saying "In 2024 alone, Arizona saw 1,479 opioid-related overdose deaths. That is 1,479 lives taken too soon, countless families changed forever because of these deadly drugs," said State Rep. Marshall (R-District 7). "When we give law enforcement the tools they need, like House Bill 2733, they are able to capture these drugs before they cause irreparable harm to our communities." "Protecting Arizonans from the devastation of fentanyl should never, ever be a partisan issue, and this bill proves that it does not have to be," said AG Mayes. What's next AG Mayes said her office will also be working with the FAA to combat drones, and will provide local law enforcement with drone hammers.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona bill would give law enforcement power to target drones at the U.S.-Mexico Border
The Brief HB2733, introduced at the Arizona State Legislature, aims to give law enforcement officers in the state more powers to deal with drones at the border. If passed, the bill would give officers immunity from liability for damages caused by the interception of a drone, under certain circumstances. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes supports the bill. PHOENIX - Arizona law enforcement are hoping to ramp up the fight against drug cartels. This time, they are targeting drones transporting narcotics into the Grand Canyon State. Dig deeper Currently, a bill at the Arizona State Legislature will give law enforcement more powers to deal with drones. Under current laws, Arizona law enforcement officers can't target drones, and it falls on federal authorities to monitor the border. If HB2733 is passed, however, the bill would allow a public entity or public employee to not be liable to a drone operator for any damages caused by an officer "intercepting, capturing, disabling, shooting, destroying, or otherwise rendering inoperative an unmanned aircraft" within 30 miles of Arizona's border with Mexico. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is among those who support HB2733. She said the drones can travel up to 75 miles into Arizona, flooding the state with drugs like fentanyl. What She Said "This legislation is needed to either allow them to disable the drones, using what are calling drone jammers, or frankly, blow them out of the sky with guns," said AG Mayes, who also said her office will be working with the FAA to combat the drones, and provide local law enforcement with drone hammers. By the numbers In 2024, nearly 1,500 Arizonans died from opioid-related overdoses. Most of them involved fentanyl supplied by cartels.
