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House approves bill directing Georgia to publish cleared list of drones for government use
Summary
The House passed House Bill 205 directing state agencies to use only “cleared” unmanned aircraft systems; sponsors cited national security concerns tied to foreign-made drones and set deadlines for a cleared list and phased compliance.
The Georgia House on Feb. 21, 2025, approved House Bill 205, a measure directing the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the Department of Administrative Services to develop and publish a cleared list of unmanned aircraft systems for state and local government use.
Sponsor Rep. Clark said the bill responds to concerns that a large share of commercial drones are manufactured by companies with ties to the People’s Republic of China and that those devices can store and transmit data. "The key requirement is simple. Drones must not be capable of transmitting data to unauthorized parties," Clark said on the floor.
Nut graf: Supporters framed the measure as a targeted, security-focused procurement policy — not a ban on private ownership — that requires state and local agencies to prefer models vetted against federal and Department of Defense criteria. Under the bill, GEMA/HS must develop and publish a cleared list by Dec. 1, 2025; beginning Jan. 1, 2028, state and local agencies will be prohibited from acquiring drones that are not on that cleared list.
On the floor, back-and-forth questions ranged from domestic-technology comparisons (a representative noted that many commonly used devices are made abroad) to whether currently deployed drones would be out of compliance. Clark told members the three-year compliance window accounts for typical drone replacement cycles and gives agencies time to adjust. Chairman Crow, speaking in support, said the bill is a "proactive step to modernize Georgia's approach to drone technology."
The measure passed in a recorded vote, yeas 162, nays 1. Supporters said the bill does not restrict private citizens or businesses from purchasing drones for personal or commercial use; rather, it standardizes procurement for public agencies.
Clarifying details in the bill text and sponsor remarks include: a required coordination with the Department of Administrative Services and consultation with technical experts; a requirement that approved models comply with FAA standards and Department of Defense clearing; and an emphasis that approved models must meet security requirements to prevent unauthorized data transmission.
Provenance: Representative Clark presented the bill at s=6378.125; supporters and committee chair spoke in favor (s=6834.5903); final passage recorded at s=7040.5747.
