SENATE BILL 103

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Harold Pope

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT OF AN AIRCRAFT; INCLUDING DIRECTING A LASER AT AN AIRCRAFT AS UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE; REPEALING SECTION 64-1-23 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1965, CHAPTER 34, SECTION 3).

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 64-1-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965, Chapter 34, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "64-1-22. UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT OF AIRCRAFT.--[Any]

          A. Unlawful interference with the flight of an aircraft consists of a person discharging a firearm, [or] setting in flight any missile, projectile or object or directing a laser that is intended to strike, interfere with or collide with any flying aircraft [shall be guilty of unlawful interference with the flight of an aircraft], including personnel on board the aircraft. Whoever commits unlawful interference with the flight of an aircraft is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

          B. Whoever commits unlawful interference with the flight of an aircraft for a second and subsequent offense is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

          C. Whoever commits unlawful interference with the flight of an aircraft that results in harm to a person on the aircraft that requires medical treatment is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

          D. As used in this section, "laser" means a device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam of light."

     SECTION 2. REPEAL.--Section 64-1-23 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965, Chapter 34, Section 3) is repealed.

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