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Senate amends and advances drone‑regulation bill to third reading
Summary
Senate Bill 167, regulating government use of drones and restricting disclosure of data absent crime or emergency exceptions, was amended and read for a third time after unanimous approval of the second substitute (28‑0).
The Senate considered a second substitute for SB 167 that regulates government use of unmanned aerial systems and clarifies reporting and disclosure. Senator Stevenson sponsored the bill; Senator Weiler offered an amendment limiting disclosure of data collected by government actors absent a crime or imminent emergency, an amendment supported by civil‑liberties groups and the ACLU per floor comments.
Senators discussed privacy concerns, the technology’s surveillance potential and the limited exceptions for disclosure. Senator Stevenson said the bill strikes a balance between law‑enforcement uses for public safety and protections against warrantless searches.
The body adopted amendment 2 and the second substitute was read for a third time by roll call: 28 yay, 0 nay, 1 absent. Sponsors indicated they would move the bill across the calendar for further consideration and rulemaking.
