Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves counter‑UAS task force under State Police with rule approval authority
Summary
House Bill 940 would establish a counter‑unmanned aircraft systems task force housed in the Office of State Police to develop rules of engagement for law‑enforcement mitigation of nefarious drones; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying membership, sunset and rule approval authority and debated public‑records/open‑meeting concerns before reporting the bill favorable as amended.
Representative Barrott said HB 940 formalizes law‑enforcement coordination to address growing threats from nefarious unmanned aircraft and would create a task force to develop rules of engagement. The sponsor noted the fiscal note was reduced to nominal after removing some procurement and staffing asks.
Committee members repeatedly pressed how the task force would balance operational secrecy and public‑record requirements. Thomas Mule of the Office of Technology Services told the committee the task force is intended to be composed of law‑enforcement agencies so sensitive operational details remain law‑enforcement‑only and not broadly published. Members discussed executive sessions and statutory mechanisms for protecting sensitive security information; the sponsor and agencies said they would use lawful mechanisms to protect operations while ensuring appropriate oversight.
The committee adopted a multi‑point amendment that places the task force in the Office of State Police, adds a sunset date (June 30, 2028), clarifies membership and requires the task force to approve any rules before rulemaking under the APA. With those changes the committee reported HB 940 favorable as amended.
Why this matters: The bill creates an institutional mechanism for counter‑UAS policies and purchases, and the debate centered on transparency versus operational security.
Next step: HB 940 was reported favorable as amended and will proceed for further consideration.
