State Board Bans Drones Over Michigan Capitol Building

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Drones have been banned from flying over the Michigan statehouse.

The Michigan State Capitol Commission voted unanimously Monday to ban flights by unpiloted aircraft over the 136-year-old Michigan Capitol "except under special circumstances."

Commission member Tim Bowlin says the Legislature needs to act as well to write the ban into law and to set penalties for violators.

Supporters of the ban have cited the risk of a terrorist attack as well as the risk of damage to the Capitol, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Commission Chairman Gary Randall says state police have told him they believe they can enforce the ban through trespassing laws.

In Atlanta, the Georgia Building Authority voted June 29 to ban drones within five miles of a spot near Georgia's Capitol.