SB710 Summary

• Establishes a new chapter regulating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to protect personal information and residential privacy in Hawaii, complementing federal FAA Part 107 regulations.

• Prohibits operating UAVs below 250 feet over residential property without permission, outside daylight hours (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset), outside operator's visual line of sight, or for collecting/distributing personal information without written consent.

• Requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before using UAVs to gather evidence, with exceptions for emergency situations, search and rescue, hostage situations, and training exercises.

• Exempts public agencies and licensed businesses from restrictions when using UAVs for environmental response, disaster relief, property assessment, utility inspections, aerial mapping, and cargo delivery.

• Creates civil liability allowing individuals to sue for injunctive relief, damages, and attorney's fees; establishes criminal penalties including misdemeanor charges for recording people in private places without consent and for equipping UAVs with weapons.