HB 4455 Summary

• Authorizes use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by state and local law enforcement agencies only with prior legislative or governing body approval and in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

• Prohibits UAVs from carrying weapons and requires all UAVs to display the name of their owning political entity in visible lettering.

• Restricts UAV surveillance of individuals to four circumstances: written consent, imminent life-safety emergencies, search warrants, or court orders based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity (limited to 48 hours initial authorization, renewable up to 30 days).

• Mandates deletion of incidentally collected data on non-targets within 24 hours and prohibits facial recognition or biometric matching on non-target data; bars use of UAV evidence in court if disclosure would violate the act.

• Requires quarterly public reporting by agencies on UAV usage, flight patterns, crime investigations aided, and costs; establishes penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies (up to 10 years) for violations including operating armed UAVs and unauthorized data disclosure.