Once again, AUVSI had a successful campaign in 2014 defending unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with the help of the AUVSI chapters and active stakeholders. In 2014, we were able to defeat 25 bills while only six bills were passed.

 

With the start of the 2015 state legislative session, there are several states that are once again aggressively calling for the passage of onerous UAS legislation. To date, Colorado and Virginia are ahead of the pace of other states and in part, at least for Virginia, as it only has 45 days to bills in the Commonwealth. Colorado on the other hand is moving just as fast and, much like Virginia, has bills in the House and Senate. The bills all have the similar common denominators: They attempt to rewrite search warrant requirements and privacy laws despite having a solid statutory framework in place to protect citizen's privacy rights.

 

In Virginia, the Courts Subcommittee on Criminal Law reported HB2125 with amendments by a vote of 11-0. Furthermore, the subcommittee incorporated HB2077 and HB 2125 by a voice vote. The bill would replace the current moratorium on UAS which is set to expire on July 1 and require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before their use with exceptions during emergency situations. In the Senate, Sen. McEachin was successful in passing S1301, amendment in the nature of a substitute on Feb. 9 before the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice. AUVSI pleaded to members of the committee to oppose this measure and support the governor’s recommendation to extend the moratorium and have UAS and other similar technologies be administered through the Secure Commonwealth Panel that was recently established by the governor. It is highly likely that both measures will reach the floor for a vote sometime next week.

 

We are currently working on our messaging documents, mobilizing our grassroots and preparing op-eds to be published at the appropriate time. AUVSI will be providing you with a template letter early next week so that you can write to your state elected officials and oppose these onerous measures. Please take the time to contact your state representatives to defend UAS technology and have your voice heard. There are many legislators who are not educated on the benefits and current regulations regarding UAS and, sadly, take most of the bills that are introduced as gospel.

 

Listed below are the states that have introduced anti-UAS legislation, authors of the bills and their adjournment dates:

 

Arkansas – HB 1079, Sponsor – Rep. Harris

Adjourns – March 12

 

California – AB14, Sponsor – Rep. Waldren

California – AB37, Sponsor – Rep. Campos

California – AB56, Sponsor – Rep. Quirk

California – SB142, Sponsor – Sen. Jackson

Adjourns – Sept. 11



Colorado – HB 15-1115, Sponsor – Rep. Lawrence

Colorado – SB 15-059, Sponsor – Sens. Newell, Lundberg, Guzman and Lambert

Adjourns – May 6

 

Georgia – HB 5, Sponsor – Rep. Harry Geisinger

Adjourns – Early April



Maryland – 5LR1408, Sponsor – Rep. Miller (officially will be filed on Feb. 13)

Adjourns – April 13

 

Missouri – HB 370, Sponsor – Rep Wilson (DEFEATED)

Adjourns – May 30

 

Oklahoma – SB492 – Sen. Shortey

Adjourns – May 29



South Carolina – HB3510 – Rep. Hamilton

Adjourns – June 4

 

Virginia – HB 2017, Sponsor – Rep. Surovell (Died in Subcommittee)

Virginia – HB 2077, Sponsor – Rep. Gilbert (passed out of subcommittee)

Virginia – HB 2125, Sponsor – Rep. Cline (passed out of subcommittee)

Virginia – SB 1301, Sponsor – Sen. McEachin (passed out of Committee)

Adjourns – Feb. 28



Washington – HB 1093, Sponsors Rep. Morris and Moeller

Adjourns – April 26

 

Wyoming – HB18, Sponsored by the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

Adjourns – Early March

 

For more information regarding state legislation contact Mario Mairena.