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Bill would add procurement discretion for drones used by Nevada agencies, sponsors say
Summary
Assembly Bill 439 would clarify sourcing restrictions from prior law to allow agencies discretion to acquire secure drone technology while preserving national‑security standards. Supporters said the bill fixes unintended barriers that prevented some local agencies from accessing life‑saving, affordable systems; no opposition testifiers appeared.
Lisa Cole, the bill sponsor, told the Senate committee AB 439 is a follow‑up to prior 2023 legislation (SB 11) that placed sourcing limits on drone procurements and first‑responder uses. Cole said the bill adds necessary discretion so agencies can access effective and affordable drone systems while continuing to meet national‑security standards modeled on Department of Defense sourcing requirements.
"This bill is meant to address a disconnect that will allow well‑intentioned limitations on sourcing to stand, but adding the needed discretion to ensure our agencies are equipped with the best available technology and still remain national security standards," Cole said.
Madison Campbell of Flock Safety, a company that advocates for first‑responder drone technology, told the committee AB 439 passed the Assembly unanimously and that amendments strengthened transparency, procurement integrity and security provisions. Campbell said current restrictions had unintentionally created barriers for smaller or rural first‑responder agencies that could not access some affordable solutions on the market.
Support and outcome: Committee testimony was brief and supportive; there was no in‑person or phone opposition recorded in the transcript. Sponsors said they had worked with stakeholders to add safeguards in amendment language and that the bill aims to level the playing field for agencies large and small to deploy secure drone technology for emergency response.
Next steps: With no recorded opposition in the hearing transcript, sponsors expect to continue technical coordination during subsequent committee stages.
