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Will Florida Regulate Drone Activity?

Use of unmanned aircraft by law enforcement may become a reality in the Sunshine State.

What may be first-of-its-kind legislation, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has said that this week, he will sign a bill that limits the use of drones by law enforcement. If the bill is signed, Florida will be one of the first states in the U.S. to regulate the use of drones, according to local media.

Earlier this week, the House unanimously passed SB 92, giving law enforcement license to launch camera-carrying drones, under one of three conditions: that they first obtain a warrant from a judge, if they believe someone’s life to be endangered, or if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has declared a threat of terrorism.

 

Once the legislation is enacted, Florida will join Idaho and Virginia as the few states that have approved laws to limit drone use, according to the Chicago Tribune, though similar legislation restricting their use has been introduced in more than a dozen other states this year.

Photo courtesy of Drone Systems/Datron



Sarah Rich is a former staff writer for Government Technology.