SALEM – People who use drones to interfere with conventional aircraft could be charged with a misdemeanor under a bill approved on Monday in the Oregon Senate.

Flying a drone in the path of an airplane or helicopter is already a violation on par with a speeding ticket. But Senate Bill 581 would create a new criminal offense if the interference happens intentionally or repeatedly.

The prohibitions include preventing the takeoff or landing of an aircraft, crashing into an aircraft that’s already in the air, or using a drone to direct lasers at an aircraft in flight.

Fire crews battling blazes in Oregon last summer reported had to halt airborne firefighting operations several times due to drones spotted in the vicinity. The bill passed the Oregon Senate 27-0 and now heads to the House.