Calendar No. 657
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3993
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for
aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 28, 2006
Mr. MARTINEZ introduced the following bill; which was read the first time
September 30 (legislative day, September 29), 2006
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for
aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers
Act of 2006'.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION AGAINST AIMING A LASER POINTER AT AN AIRCRAFT.
(a) Offense- Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
`Sec. 39B. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft
`(a) In General- Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an
aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at
the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned
not more than 5 years, or both.
`(b) Definition- In this section, the term `laser pointer' means any device
designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission
that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter
to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.
`(c) Exceptions- This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser
pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of such an aircraft, by--
`(1) an individual authorized to engage in such conduct by an aircraft
manufacturer as part of the conduct of research and development or flight
test operations conducted by such manufacturer;
`(2) an official of the Federal Aviation Administration authorized to
engage in such conduct;
`(3) any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration
to engage in such conduct as part of research and development or flight
test operations;
`(4) a member or element of the Department of Defense or Department of
Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research,
development, operations, testing, or training; or
`(5) an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an
emergency distress signal.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary
of Transportation, may provide by regulation, after public notice and
comment, such additional exceptions to this section as may be necessary
and appropriate.
`(2) NOTICE TO CONGRESS- Not later than 90 days before the date any regulations
issued under paragraph (1) become final, the Attorney General shall provide
written notification of any proposed regulations under this section to
the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.'.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments-
(1) IN GENERAL- Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended
by redesignating the section 39 relating to commercial motor vehicle inspections
as section 39A.
(2) AMENDMENT TO TABLE OF SECTIONS- The table of sections at the beginning
of chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the
item relating to the section 39 relating to commercial motor vehicle inspections
and inserting the following
`39A. Commercial motor vehicles required to stop for inspections.
`39B. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.'.
Calendar No. 657
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3993
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming
laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes.
September 30 (legislative day, September 29), 2006
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
END
