CS/CS/CS/HB 649 - Surveillance by a Drone

• Prohibits persons, state agencies, and political subdivisions from using drones to capture images of privately owned property or individuals on that property without written consent when a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.

• Establishes that reasonable expectation of privacy is presumed when a person is not observable by ground-level persons with legal right to be present, regardless of aerial visibility.

• Creates exceptions allowing drone use by licensed professionals within their scope of practice, property appraisers assessing property for taxation, utilities conducting operations and maintenance, and law enforcement with search warrants or in emergency situations.

• Permits aggrieved property owners, tenants, occupants, invitees, or licensees to pursue civil actions for compensatory damages, injunctive relief, reasonable attorney fees, and punitive damages against violators.

• Makes evidence obtained in violation of the statute inadmissible in criminal prosecutions and takes effect July 1, 2015.