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DGS explains $50,000 drone request as security‑compliant archival tool for state photography
Summary
Department of General Services told lawmakers the $50,000 non‑recurring request covers a security‑compliant drone and support equipment for state photographic and videography services to preserve records and meet procurement security standards.
Lawmakers questioned a $50,000 non‑recurring request in the Department of General Services' FY27 budget to purchase a security‑compliant drone for the Document Solutions photographic services unit.
"The drone is for our photographic services division, in the document solutions, division of general services," Michael Winston said. He explained the department retired a prior drone for security reasons, worked with the central procurement office to identify models that meet security standards, and that the purchase includes "support costs it needs to operate the drone" such as a storage case, high‑capacity memory cards and external drives.
Winston said the unit provides official photography for events including state legislative and gubernatorial activities and that the device is intended for professional archival work rather than casual imagery. He added that one of the department's state partners already holds a drone license to assist operations. Committee members asked whether existing staff would be trained to operate the device and how the department intends to use the drone for property cataloguing; DGS said training and operational procedures will be part of implementation if the funding is approved.
The committee did not take a vote on the request during this hearing; DGS officials described the requirement for security compliance and ongoing support costs as drivers of the purchase price.
