Drone flights over prisons become felonies, staff can disable drones

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to unmanned aircraft.

Introduced· 2026-01-13

Who's it for

Who's it for: Government Power

What it means for you

3/10Hurts you

Bad for everyday people ·

Right removedImmunity

Plain‑English summary, cross‑checked against the official bill text.

If passed, it would make flying a drone over a prison a felony and let prison staff shut down drones without being sued.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

Citizens who enjoy hobby drones could lose the ability to fly near prisons, while prisons gain more power to stop drones and avoid paying for any damage.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Increases penalty for knowingly using a drone over prison property from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony.
Allows a correctional facility employee to disable a drone flying over prison land.
States the correctional facility and its employee are not liable for damage to the drone when disabled.
Bill is introduced in the Tennessee House and has not yet passed.