Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateNew MexicoIntroduced
SB 103: UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH AIRCRAFT
Pope, Harold J., Jr.
SB 103 status: Introduced — action postponed indefinitely (updated Mar 24, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
55OUT OF 100
Score:55/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 45/100
Constitutionality70%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion60%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill proposes to increase the severity of criminal penalties for interfering with airplane flights.
Who is affected
Airline passengers, flight crews, and individuals charged with interfering with aircraft operations.
Requirements and enforcement
The bill would mandate harsher sentencing or classification for specific acts deemed as interference.
Costs and funding
Potential increase in state correctional and judicial costs due to longer or more severe sentencing.
When it takes effect
Not applicable as the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Potential benefits
Potential for increased deterrence against disruptive or dangerous behavior on commercial and private flights.
Risks and tradeoffs
The lack of clarity regarding intent or medical exemptions for disruptive behavior raises civil liberties concerns.
What is still unknown
The exact nature of 'interference' as defined by the bill and the specific criminal charges applied.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Society
Critical outlook
40%
Benefits
- Establishes a stronger legal deterrent against dangerous behavior
- Provides clear consequences for flight interference
- Supports safety of passengers and aviation staff
Risks
- Risk of over-criminalizing behavior during mental health crises
- Potential for disparate application of enforcement
- Lack of emphasis on rehabilitative outcomes
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Public Health & Safety
Positive outlook
70%
Benefits
- Increases safety for passengers in confined aircraft environments
- Deters individuals from placing flights in danger
- Provides law enforcement clearer authority to handle dangerous incidents
Risks
- Criminal penalties do not address root causes of passenger agitation
- Limited evidence on whether stricter penalties decrease incident rates
- Potential for misidentification of 'interference' in chaotic flight settings
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
The bill lacks defined exemptions for mental health or medical crises.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary abstract, not full bill text.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
How it affects your district
✦ Personalized
Set your location
Add your district to see how this bill may affect your community and who to contact.
Your Representatives
Your representatives appear here once you add your location.
06
Take action
Contact your representatives
Let them know how you feel about this bill.
Share your view
Join the discussion and see what others are saying.
Track this bill
Stay updated on progress and changes.