Senate Bill 2661

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION IN TITLE 69, CHAPTER 21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW FARMERS TO UTILIZE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS, DRONE OPERATOR LICENSING AND DRONE USAGE IN AGRICULTURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) For the purpose of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings, unless context clearly provides otherwise:

(a) "Agriculture" or "agricultural" means acts of farming and raising livestock. Activities that fall within agriculture include soil preparation, seed planting, crop harvesting, gardening, viticulture, apiculture, dairying, poultry and ranching.

(b) "Unmanned aerial vehicle" means an unmanned aircraft system that is remotely controlled or flies autonomously using software-controlled flight plans in its embedded systems that work in conjunction with onboard sensors and a global positioning system. An unmanned aerial vehicle is also commonly referred to as a drone.

(2) Farmers, property owners and/or operators who perform agricultural pursuits and licensed third-party unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technicians may utilize unmanned aerial vehicles to aid with farming and the performance of agricultural duties. Unmanned aerial vehicles may be used to:

(a) Scout pests and diseases that are impacting or could potentially impact crops, and apply targeted treatments;

(b) Monitor plant water stress to help target irrigation resources and crop needs;

(d) Monitor livestock movement, count livestock and detect stray livestock;

(e) Create three-dimensional (3D) renderings of animals to calculate market value and assess forage quality;

(f) Apply water, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, rodenticides or feed to crops;

(g) Create land imaging of a farmer or rancher's property;

(h) Monitor soil conditions and quality;

(i) Collect soil and water samples; and

(j) Perform any other troubleshooting measures as deemed safe and effective by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

(3) The Mississippi Department of Agriculture shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding approved unmanned aerial vehicle specifications, drone operator licensing and drone usage in agriculture.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.