The proposed legislation establishes the offense of criminal trespass by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Montana. Under this bill, a person commits this offense if they knowingly operate a UAV at an altitude of 200 feet or lower over another person's property without authorization. A conviction for this offense would result in a $500 fine. However, there are specific exceptions to this rule, including operations conducted by government agencies for public safety, actions by peace officers, and activities within easements with permission from property owners.

Additionally, the bill introduces new exceptions for UAV operations by utility employees or contractors assessing property damage, which now explicitly includes the deployment of drones. It also allows for UAV operations by licensed owners or operators for legitimate business purposes, provided they comply with federal aviation regulations. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.