In the nature of a substitute.

1. Adds Sec. 46508. Interference with flight crew vision at the end of section 1.

   Adds a section

   Inserted: Sec. 46508. Interference with flight crew vision

   Inserted: (a) In General.--An individual who interferes with, or attempts to interfere with, the ability of the flight crew of an aircraft in flight to see, or otherwise to impair the safe operation of an aircraft in flight, by illuminating the aircraft with a laser pointer or similar device shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

   Inserted: (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the illumination of aircraft by laser or other devices by--

   Inserted: (1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations;

   Inserted: (2) members or elements of the Department of Defense acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing or training; or

   Inserted: (3) by an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.

   Inserted: (b) Conforming Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 465 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "46508. Interference with flight crew vision".

   Original wording

   SECTION 1. PROHIBITION AGAINST INTERFERING WITH FLIGHT CREWS THROUGH USE OF LASER POINTERS OR SIMILAR DEVICES. (a) In General.--Chapter 465 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

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As printed