My problem is, it opens the door for idiocy from law enforcement. Cops are taught to be boneheaded to take control of situations, whether they are doing right or wrong, is not something most of them are trained to be concerned with.
For example, a cop sees someone using a high power laser pointing it in the clear sky... and doesn't like it. No one is getting hurt, there are no complains.
So what happens next? For the moment, not too much, usually a warning, sometimes a confiscation. Rarely anything more.
Now same scenario, the cop writes out a report, passes it on, and you will get an 11k fine on the mail...
I'm all for targeting actual offenders, especially ones that put peoples lives at risk, but I don't know that I can call this a positive step. Somehow I doubt the new laws will provide ANY protection for laser hobbyists.
Personally I wouldn't mind some kind of a test to take to be certified to handle a class 4 laser.