Missouri House passes bill to restrict drone use ahead of World Cup

By: Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) -- The Missouri House approved a bill on Tuesday that would tighten restrictions on the use of drones ahead of this summer's World Cup games in Kansas City.

Senate Bill 1421 would add prohibitions on where drones can be flown into state law. Current law states that they can't be flown over open-air facilities, but the bill would also outlaw flying near critical infrastructure. It also adds bombs and bomb materials as items that are illegal to deliver by drone.

The bill drew debate in the House, where members tacked on dozens of amendments with less than two weeks remaining in the session. The session ends May 15.

The House approved an emergency clause, so the bill would go into effect immediately upon being signed. The bill now goes back to the Senate for that chamber to consider changes made by the House.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) successfully added an amendment that would allow convicted criminals in certain rehabilitation programs to get a limited driver's license when they complete those programs