House Bill 2147 amends Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the use of unmanned aircraft over school grounds. The bill introduces a new subdivision (5) under Section 39-13-903(a), which makes it an offense to knowingly use an unmanned aircraft over the grounds of a school. Additionally, the bill renumbers existing subdivisions and modifies the classification of offenses related to unmanned aircraft. Specifically, it deletes the current subsection (b) and replaces it with a new classification system where offenses under subdivisions (a)(1)-(6) are classified as Class C misdemeanors, while offenses under the newly added subdivision (a)(7) are classified as Class E felonies.

The bill also makes a minor adjustment by changing references from "subdivision (a)(6)" to "subdivision (a)(7)" in subdivisions (a)(6)(B) and (a)(6)(C). This legislative change aims to enhance the regulation of unmanned aircraft operations in proximity to schools, thereby increasing penalties for violations to better protect students and school property. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-903(a)(6), 39-13-903, 39-13-903(a)