The two-page bill empowers the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) to outfit state-owned buildings and critical infrastructure with systems that can both detect unmanned aircraft and block unauthorized drones from entering restricted airspace. And frankly, with drones buzzing around for the better part of a decade, Michigan law on this issue is long overdue.

MORE NEWS: Businessmen Step Up to Save Christmas Ceremony in Dearborn Heights

The legislation also authorizes the DTMB to work with the Michigan Department of Transportation to ensure that sensitive state-owned buildings and critical infrastructure are included in statewide geofencing databases used by drone manufacturers and operators – a digital map that tells technology where virtual “fences” are located. By coordinating across agencies, the state aims to make sure protected sites are clearly marked in systems that restrict drone flights, while the bill emphasizes that all such actions must remain fully compliant with federal law.

Lawmaker says rising drone threats demand modern security tools.

Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford), who introduced the bill on December 2, said in a press release, “Drones are becoming more sophisticated every year, and that creates real security challenges for the state. Bad actors can use drones to surveil secure locations, disrupt operations, or threaten critical infrastructure. This legislation gives Michigan the tools to detect unauthorized drones before they cause harm and to block them from entering restricted airspace.”

Harris also noted that this sophistication has not always translated into good behavior. According to him, bad actors can use drones to surveil secure sites, disrupt first responders, or threaten critical infrastructure.

The Bipartisan Seal of Approval.

Harris highlighted that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle – including those with backgrounds in tech, public safety, and infrastructure – signed onto HB 5323. In all, 19 Republicans and 10 Democrats are sponsoring the bill. For a moment, Lansing rose above partisan turbulence and agreed that keeping drones from peeking into the Capitol dome is probably wise.

Part of a bigger initiative.

HB 5323 is one piece of a much larger security package known as the S.H.I.E.L.D. Michigan initiative – Securing Homeland & Infrastructure with Emerging Laws for Drones – which creates a statewide framework to protect critical facilities from illegal drone activity. The legislation complements other bills in the package that tighten no-fly zones, expand penalties for tampering with secure sites, and modernize Michigan’s drone laws to confront evolving threats. Together, the bills are designed to function as a coordinated shield, giving state and local agencies the legal and technological tools needed to block unauthorized drones before they can compromise public safety or sensitive operations.