HB 7260 - Summary

• Prohibits any person except law enforcement officers from operating technology that remotely releases tear gas, controls deadly weapons, or deploys explosive devices; violators face class C felony charges.

• Creates two new crimes for recklessly colliding unmanned aerial vehicles into aircraft or motor vehicles: first degree (class A misdemeanor) causing serious physical injury risk and second degree (class B misdemeanor) causing physical injury risk.

• Requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant, written consent, or operate under exigent circumstances or specific training conditions before using drones; exempts operations on federal, state, or municipal property.

• Mandates law enforcement agencies destroy or modify drone-collected data within 90 days unless it relates to probable criminal activity, with a maximum 5-year retention period; prohibits improperly retained information from being admitted as evidence.

• Requires police departments to adopt written drone policies by January 30, 2018, and file annual reports documenting drone operations, warrant usage, and investigation outcomes.