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DNR supports drone bill for wildlife monitoring after removing 'relocate' language
Summary
The subcommittee advanced H3945, which would authorize certain unmanned aircraft activities for wildlife management, after adopting an amendment to remove the word “relocate” from the bill; the Department of Natural Resources voiced support with that change and asked for FAA compliance language.
The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Wildlife Subcommittee advanced H3945 on a 5-0 vote after accepting an amendment, offered at DNR’s request, to remove the word “relocate” from two sections of the measure.
Chief of Wildlife Billy Dukes, speaking for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, told the subcommittee the department “has no concerns with this bill” as written but asked that the bill be amended to strike “relocate” from section A1 and section D1. Dukes said existing statutes already prohibit relocation of feral swine and that coyotes can be relocated only under very specific conditions; removing the term would avoid conflict with those statutes.
Dukes also told members that when operations described in the bill use unmanned aircraft they must comply with FAA rules and any applicable drone certifications. “As long as someone is in compliance with all their FAA and drone certification licenses, there's nothing currently in law that prohibits the activities that would be allowed by this bill,” Dukes said. He and other DNR staff characterized the bill as providing useful “sidebars or guide rails” for wildlife work using drones.
Representative Gibson proposed the amendment to strike “relocate,” the committee approved it on a 5-0 roll call, and then voted 5-0 to advance H3945 to full committee. Committee discussion touched on enforcement limits and the need to align statutory language with existing wildlife laws.
The committee’s recorded aye votes on the amendment and on final passage were Representatives Heather Bauer, Gibson, Hartz, Hyatt and Forrest.
The bill will go to full committee with the amendment to remove “relocate”; DNR staff said they otherwise support the measure and that FAA and certification compliance should govern unmanned aircraft operations described in the bill.
