{"identifier":"/us/usc/t18/s40A","title":18,"num":"\u00a7\u202f40A.","heading":"Operation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over wildfires","text":"\u00a7\u202f40A.\nOperation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over wildfires\n(a)\nIn General.\u2014\nExcept as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, or law enforcement or emergency response efforts\n1\n1 So in original. Probably should be \u201ceffort\u201d.\n(b)\nExceptions.\u2014\nThis section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response.\n(c)\nDefinitions.\u2014\nIn this section, the following definitions apply:\n(1)\nUnmanned aircraft.\u2014\nThe term \u201cunmanned aircraft\u201d has the meaning given the term in\nsection 44801 of title 49\n(2)\nWildfire.\u2014\nThe term \u201cwildfire\u201d has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (\n42 U.S.C. 1856m\n(3)\nWildfire suppression.\u2014\nThe term \u201cwildfire suppression\u201d means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire.","url":"https://projectusc.org/usc/t18/s40A.html","content":[{"t":"sec","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A","children":[{"t":"num","text":"\u00a7\u202f40A."},{"t":"heading","text":"Operation of unauthorized unmanned aircraft over wildfires"},{"t":"subsec","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/a","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(a)"},{"t":"heading","text":"In General.\u2014"},{"t":"content","text":"Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, or law enforcement or emergency response efforts\u202f","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"1"},{"t":"num","text":"1","tail":"\u202fSo in original. Probably should be \u201ceffort\u201d."},{"t":"text","text":"\u202fSo in original. Probably should be \u201ceffort\u201d.","tail":" related to a wildfire suppression, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subsec","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/b","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(b)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Exceptions.\u2014"},{"t":"content","text":"This section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"subsec","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/c","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(c)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Definitions.\u2014"},{"t":"chapeau","text":"In this section, the following definitions apply:"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/c/1","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(1)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Unmanned aircraft.\u2014"},{"t":"content","text":"The term \u201cunmanned aircraft\u201d has the meaning given the term in ","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"section 44801 of title 49","href":"/us/usc/t49/s44801","tail":", United States Code."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/c/2","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(2)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Wildfire.\u2014"},{"t":"content","text":"The term \u201cwildfire\u201d has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (","children":[{"t":"ref","text":"42 U.S.C. 1856m","href":"/us/usc/t42/s1856m","tail":")."}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"para","id":"/us/usc/t18/s40A/c/3","children":[{"t":"num","text":"(3)"},{"t":"heading","text":"Wildfire suppression.\u2014"},{"t":"content","text":"The term \u201cwildfire suppression\u201d means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire.","tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"}],"tail":"\n"},{"t":"text","text":"\n"}]}]}