Alabama Bans Drones Over Capitol Complex

0:00It's March 5th, here's your Birmingham news in two minutes. Lawmakers in Alabama are pushing a new bill to ban drone flights over the capital complex. It comes after a video popped up on YouTube showing the drones circling the construction site of the new state house. The clip captures the five-story dome building from all sides, looping around a tall crane. Officials believe the flight happened around Christmas last year, with no workers on site. House Speaker Pro Tem, Chris Pringle from Mobile, called it likely just someone having fun. Still, he worries others might have bad intentions. The measure ties into a larger bill for security upgrades at the new state house set to open for the 2027 legislative session. Flying a drone there without permission would become a misdemeanor. It targets flights with criminal intent, or those messing with state operations, including near the governor's mansion. Americans exist for law enforcement and operators who get written OK from the legislative council.

1:00Pringle says the goal is to prevent real threats while the building takes shape. The $400 million project covers the new structure, a parking deck, demolition of the old one, and high-tech furnishings like security, cameras and voting systems. The retirement systems of Alabama is footing the bill and will lease it back to lawmakers. The daily news now is powered by our sponsor. Link in the description. Headphones in a pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense, solypilo.com.