Eye in the sky: Police drone bill clears second House panel

A bill designed to allow law enforcement to use remotely piloted aircraft as a “tool in the toolbox” passed its second House committee (House State Affairs) Tuesday afternoon.

HB 75 allows law enforcement to use drones to survey traffic accidents, to collect evidence at a crime scene, and to assist in crowd control.

Bill sponsor state Rep. Clay Yarborough, a Jacksonville Republican in his second term, has led on drone legislation in his brief time in Tallahassee.

With this particular legislation, Yarborough has had to counter concerns from privacy advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union.

He contended Tuesday that Florida Statute 934.50 was sufficient protection against fears of unwarranted surveillance, but offered an amendment clarifying the bill’s language to appease privacy advocates.

Yarborough’s changes were minor, defining words like “crowd” (a group of at least 50) and clarifying that “traffic management doesn’t equal traffic enforcement.”

Rep. Wengay Newton of St. Pete wanted a warrant required for evidence collection, but Yarborough contended “the language was already sufficient … with buy-in from law enforcement.”

“We believe the amendment is sufficient,” Yarborough added. As well, drones can be used for management of public lands only, he said.

Yarborough’s bill has one committee stop left (Judiciary) before it’s ready for the House floor. The Senate version, carried by Democrat Darryl Rouson, has cleared one committee, with two panels to go.

The Florida Police Chiefs were on hand to support the amendment and the bill. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Sheriffs Association were in support as well.