Brazil Chamber of Deputies evaluates drone deregulation bill

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies is evaluating Bill 3297/26, a legislative proposal aimed at simplifying the requirements for the civil use of drones for recreational, commercial, and professional purposes. Introduced by Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança, the bill seeks to reduce bureaucracy by exempting operators from certain licenses, flight plans, and operational registrations when flying in “free areas.”

These free areas include private residences, rural properties, condominiums, and public parks without express restrictions. A key condition for this flexibility is that the drone must remain within the operator’s line of sight. The author argues that current laws impose the same level of complexity on low-risk drones as they do on larger aircraft, which stifles a growing sector.

The proposal maintains strict prohibitions on flying over crowds, non-consenting individuals, events, and sensitive locations such as prisons, military installations, and airports. It also emphasizes the protection of privacy and property rights, stating that operators will be held liable for any damages caused to third parties. States and municipalities may still define specific restricted zones for takeoff and landing based on environmental or safety justifications.