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Legislation News & Report (TM) TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Managing America: Crime |
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TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Week Ending May 25, 2006
H.R.1615 To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes.
Because lasers, when aimed at an aircraft, create pilot discomfort and temporary visual impairments such as glare, flashblinding and after images, the bill provides criminal penalties for anyone who knowingly aims a laser pointer at an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the US. The law recognizes that such an act creates a threat to public safety and aviation security. The penalties include fines and imprisonment up to five years.
The visual distractions can induce spatial disorientation or loss of situational awareness in a pilot. Two instances were documented in which the pilots sustained eye injuries and were incapacitated during critical flight phases. There reportedly has been over 400 incidents in which pilots were startled, distracted, temporarily blinded or disoriented by laser exposure since 1990.
Low cost handheld lasers could lead to more incidents in the future.
Not prohibited are those conducting research and development or flight test operations for an aircraft manufacturer or the FAA. The Department of Defense or Homeland Security personnel conducting research and development, operations testing or training or an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send a distress signal are not governed by the bill.
Sponsor: Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL-8th) Vote: Passed House by voice vote May 22, 2007 Cost to the taxpayers: CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1615 would have no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending and revenues, but CBO estimates that any such effects would not be significant Earmark Certification: In accordance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H.R. 1615 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI. ## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM) No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)
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