Monitoring the Session

SB 1197

no drones over spaceports

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Brian BirdwellRSenate 22

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport; creating a criminal offense.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Spaceports join airports and military installations.

This bill adds spaceports to the existing Texas offense for flying a drone over an airport or military installation. It reaches anyone who intentionally or knowingly flies a drone over a spaceport, crashes one into it, or uses one to disrupt its operations, unless they are government, law enforcement, the operator, or someone with permission. Starting September 1, 2025, launch and landing sites licensed by the FAA or run by a local spaceport development corporation get the same no-fly protection airports already have.

Labels

Labels: CREATES AN OFFENSE. The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport; creating a criminal offense.”

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1197 · 2025-02-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Brian BirdwellRSenate 22

ITEM

relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport; creating a criminal offense.

WHAT IT DOES

Spaceports join airports and military installations.

This bill adds spaceports to the existing Texas offense for flying a drone over an airport or military installation. It reaches anyone who intentionally or knowingly flies a drone over a spaceport, crashes one into it, or uses one to disrupt its operations, unless they are government, law enforcement, the operator, or someone with permission. Starting September 1, 2025, launch and landing sites licensed by the FAA or run by a local spaceport development corporation get the same no-fly protection airports already have.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · April 30, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Vet Affairs
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Vote taken in committee
  8. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  9. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  10. Committee report printed and distributed
  11. Placed on intent calendar
  12. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  13. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  14. Vote recorded in Journal
  15. Three day rule suspended
  16. Record vote
  17. Read 3rd time
  18. Passed
  19. Record vote
  20. Reported engrossed
  21. Received from the Senate
  22. Read first time
  23. Referred to State Affairs
  24. Considered in public hearing
  25. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  26. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  27. Committee report distributed
  28. Committee report sent to Calendars
  29. Laid out in lieu of companion HB 3272
  30. Read 2nd time
  31. Amended 1-Geren
  32. Record vote RV#639
  33. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  34. Record vote RV#640
  35. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  36. Read 3rd time
  37. Passed
  38. Record vote RV#789
  39. House passage as amended reported
  40. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  41. Read
  42. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  43. Record vote
  44. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the Senate
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 147 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 29, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 7, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Brian Birdwell

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC Austin TX$30,000
Good Government Fund Fort Worth TX$10,000
Texas Oil & Gas Assn. Good Govt. Cmte Austin TX$10,000

Derived from itemized gifts, Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

$353,800 raised since Jul 1, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. blank in the state's data, consistent with zero. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.

$502,039 spent since Jul 1, 2024. Derived sum of published report totals. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026. 4 of 4 filed reports carry a published figure.

$731,044 cash on hand. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

$0 loans outstanding. Published report total. Stock, as of Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived sum of itemized contributions in regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Unitemized contributions are not included. Flow, Jul 1, 2024 through Jun 30, 2026. State filing data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

Votes7

Senate May 5, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Birdwell moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 1197. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
147
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
0
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 789

SB 1197 was passed by (Record 789): 147 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 147 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 640

SB 1197, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 640): 145 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 639

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 639): 145 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 7, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 7, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Birdwell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1197 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 7, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses9
For
9
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)1 registration
  • Game Warden Peace Officers Association1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; Sheriffs Association of Texas1 registration
  • Self; Sheriffs’ Association of Texas1 registration
  • Self; VFW Dept of Texas1 registration
  • SpaceX1 registration
  • Texas Association of Business1 registration
  • Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration
Sources

9 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · April 30, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Feb 10, 2025

05/19/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Charlie GerenRHouse 99 Pat CurryRHouse 56 Drew DarbyRHouse 72
Cosponsors
Greg BonnenRHouse 24 Carl H. TepperRHouse 84

House committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 15 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Veteran Affairs · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Companion

HB 3272 by Geren (identical)

Subjects

Aeronautics

Crimes--Against Property

Crimes--Miscellaneous

Criminal Procedure--General

SPACEPORTS

Text

The text as introduced · 559 words

89R2354 MCF-D

By: Birdwell
S.B. No. 1197

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a spaceport;

creating a criminal offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 42.15, Penal Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 42.15. OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OVER AIRPORT ,

[ OR ] MILITARY INSTALLATION , OR SPACEPORT .

SECTION 2. Section 42.15(a), Penal Code, is amended by

adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:

(3) "Spaceport" means any property or facility that

is:

(A) used for the launch, landing, or recovery of

spacecraft, as defined by Section 507.001, Local Government Code;

and

(B) licensed by the Federal Aviation

Administration or operated by a spaceport development corporation

under Chapter 507, Local Government Code.

SECTION 3. Sections 42.15(b) and (c), Penal Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally

or knowingly:

(1) operates an unmanned aircraft over an airport ,

[ or ] military installation , or spaceport ;

(2) allows an unmanned aircraft to make contact with

an airport , [ or ] military installation, or spaceport, including any

person or object on the premises of or within the airport , [ or ]

military installation , or spaceport ; or

(3) operates an unmanned aircraft in a manner that

interferes with the operations of or causes a disturbance to an

airport , [ or ] military installation , or spaceport .

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that

the conduct described by Subsection (b) was engaged in by:

(1) the federal government, this state, or a

governmental entity;

(2) a person under contract with or otherwise acting

under the direction or on behalf of the federal government, this

state, or a governmental entity;

(3) a law enforcement agency;

(4) a person under contract with or otherwise acting

under the direction or on behalf of a law enforcement agency;

(5) an owner or operator of the airport , [ or ] military

installation , or spaceport ;

(6) a person under contract with or otherwise acting

under the direction or on behalf of an owner or operator of the

airport , [ or ] military installation , or spaceport ;

(7) a person who has the prior written or electronic

authorization of:

(A) the owner or operator of the airport , [ or ]

military installation , or spaceport ; or

(B) the Federal Aviation Administration; or

(8) the owner or occupant of the property on which the

airport , [ or ] military installation , or spaceport is located or a

person who has the prior written consent of the owner or occupant of

that property.

SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.

An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,

and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For

purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the

effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred

before that date.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.