WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the music festival season kicks off in the Coachella Valley and across the United States, U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz is moving to close a federal safety gap that leaves large-scale concerts more vulnerable than professional sporting events.
Ruiz, D-Calif., introduced the Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act, legislation that would require the Federal Aviation Administration to implement Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) over outdoor music festivals with daily attendance of 30,000 or more.
Currently, federal law mandates flight restrictions over major league baseball, football, and NCAA stadiums. However, no such automatic protections exist for massive musical gatherings like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or Stagecoach, which collectively draw more than one million people to the desert each year.
“A stadium full of fans at a football game gets temporary flight protections, but the same stadium hosting a sold-out concert may not,” Ruiz said in a statement. “We need comprehensive legislation… to ensure that people can enjoy these events knowing the same safety standards that protect sports fans are protecting them too.”
The push for tighter airspace control follows a string of concerns regarding low-flying aircraft and unauthorized drones. Supporters of the bill point to a 2008 incident where an unscheduled plane dropped thousands of leaflets over Indio neighborhoods, as well as multiple reports of dangerously low flights over concert venues in 2024.
The bill has gained significant traction among industry giants and Southern California first responders. Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer for AEG, the presenter of Coachella and Stagecoach, called the act an “important tool” for guest and venue safety.
Local law enforcement and fire officials in Riverside County say the lack of restricted airspace complicates emergency response and counter-drone operations.
“This initiative adds a critical layer of protection for spectators, staff, and first responders,” said Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish.
Indio City Manager Bryan Montgomery noted that even minor airspace intrusions can have “serious consequences” in densely populated festival environments. By restricting the air, local police and federal partners can better manage potential threats and ensure clear paths for emergency aircraft if needed.
Ruiz, a physician by trade, represents California’s 25th District. He is currently working with colleagues in Congress to advance the bill as the 2026 festival circuit begins.