It is unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event, unless one of the listed exceptions applies.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) OPERATE. To act as the individual in direct and immediate control of an unmanned aircraft system, regardless of the method of control. (2) TICKETED ENTERTAINMENT EVENT. Any music, sporting, or performing arts event held in a location with gated entries or barriers that prevent access to the general public and in which a revocable license that has been issued by an owner, operator, or lessee of the property is required for an individual to attend the event. (3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM. As defined in Section 13A-7-4.3. (b)(1) It shall be unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event. (2) A violation of this subsection is punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500). (3) A second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor. (c) Subsection (b) shall not apply to an operator of an unmanned aircraft system in any of the following scenarios: (1) The operator has obtained consent by any person with legal authority over the ticketed entertainment event. (2) The operator is authorized by federal regulations to operate an unmanned aircraft system and is operating the system in a lawful manner consistent with federal regulations. (3) The operator is an employee of the property where the event is being held and is conducting official business. (4) The operator is an employee of a utility service provider and is conducting official business. (5) The operator is an owner of private property who is operating an unmanned aircraft system that he or she owns above the private property, where the operation is consistent with federal regulations and is not done for commercial purposes, to convey or communicate a message, or to record for the purposes of commercial broadcasting, commercial publication, monitoring, or to otherwise interfere with a ticketed entertainment event. (6) The operator is an employee or volunteer with a state agency, law enforcement agency, fire department, or emergency management agency and is conducting official business. (7) The ticketed entertainment event is a middle school or high school sports event.