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House committee advances bill to let law enforcement neutralize drones after federal authorization
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Summary
A House committee advanced Senate Bill 227, which would allow Indiana law enforcement to neutralize threatening drones after federal authorization and training. Supporters said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department would be the pilot agency; members asked for clarity on who authorizes mitigations and the technology used.
A state House committee voted to advance Senate Bill 227, which would let trained Indiana law-enforcement officers neutralize drones once federal authorization and FAA-aligned training are in place.
Senator Baldwin, who presented the bill, said the measure makes it lawful for local and state officers to "take drones out of the air" after federal enabling legislation takes effect and state police design a training and authorization program. "It's my understanding the president's actually already signed it," Baldwin said in explaining the bill's trigger from federal law.
The bill envisions the Indiana State Police developing a program, following FAA guidelines, with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department named as the initial pilot agency. Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, told the committee IMPD leadership had committed resources and would send officers to federal training: "Our immediate past chief of police for IMPD, Chris Bailey, has also already committed the resources for a team of officers to go to the federal training site in Alabama if this is authorized."
Committee members sought practical details about authorization and tactics. Representative Pack asked who would authorize a mitigation and whether neutralization could mean destruction; Snyder said the goal is to "capture that drone and safely bring that down to avoid collateral damage" and that, at present, local agencies need federal agents on site to perform such actions. He also said he did not expect the National Guard to be involved.
A committee member moved to pass the bill; roll call recorded ten affirmative votes with several members excused, and the committee recorded that SB 227 passed (roll-call tally reported as 10–0 in recorded yeses) and held the measure open pending a returning member.
The bill will advance to the next House stage where additional details and any amendments can be considered.
