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Bill > AB629
WI AB629
WI AB629Police authority to disable drones threatening public safety and providing a penalty.
summary
Introduced
11/07/2025
11/07/2025
In Committee
02/20/2026
02/20/2026
Crossed Over
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that a law enforcement officer may do any of the following to mitigate the threat posed by a drone that the officer reasonably suspects poses an imminent threat to public safety: 1) detect, track, and identify the drone; and 2) intercept, disable, or destroy the drone through any lawful method, including jamming, hacking, or physically capturing the drone. The bill provides that neither the law enforcement officer nor the agency that employs them is financially liable for damage to or loss of a drone that is intercepted, disabled, or destroyed. Under current law, no person may operate a drone over a correctional institution without the express permission of the secretary of corrections. A person who violates this prohibition is subject to a forfeiture of $5,000. This bill provides that a person who violates this prohibition by use of a weaponized drone, the use of which poses a threat to public safety, is guilty of a Class H felony. “Weaponized drone” is defined to mean a drone equipped with a taser, firearm, flamethrower, chemical, or explosive device.
AI Summary
This bill enhances law enforcement's authority to address drone-related threats near correctional institutions, creating new regulations and penalties. The legislation defines key terms like "drone" and "weaponized drone" (which includes drones equipped with tasers, firearms, flamethrowers, chemical, or explosive devices) and establishes that operating a drone over a correctional institution without express authorization from the corrections secretary or county sheriff is punishable by a forfeiture of up to $5,000. The bill introduces a more serious penalty of a Class H felony for operating a weaponized drone over a correctional institution that poses a threat to public safety. Additionally, the bill empowers law enforcement officers to detect, track, identify, intercept, disable, or destroy drones that reasonably appear to pose an imminent public safety threat, using methods like jamming, hacking, or physical capture, and explicitly protects these officers and their agencies from financial liability for any damage to the drone during such intervention.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (13)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Anthony Kurtz (R)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Julian Bradley (R),
André Jacque (R),
Howard Marklein (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 03/04/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab629 |
| AB629 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 3/4/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1977179.pdf |
| Assembly Amendment 2 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB629-AA1-AA2.pdf |
| Assembly Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB629-AA1-AA1.pdf |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/AB629.pdf |
| Assembly Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB629-AA1.pdf |
| AB629 ROCP for Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/criminal_justice_and_public_safety/1960470.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB629.pdf |
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