S.B. No. 189 Summary

• Establishes regulatory framework for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations by state and local government employees, requiring compliance with all federal aviation administration requirements and guidelines.

• Permits UAV operation only in six specific circumstances: with written consent from the subject, during emergencies threatening life or safety, when investigating national security or organized crime threats, pursuant to a warrant for private property surveillance, pursuant to a court order for public property surveillance (with specific and articulable facts of reasonable suspicion), or for non-evidentiary data collection.

• Restricts data collection to target individuals only; requires deletion of incidental data on non-targets within 24 hours and prohibits use of facial recognition or biometric technology on non-target data.

• Prohibits UAVs from being equipped with weapons and makes information obtained in violation of these regulations inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding.

• Requires annual reporting by agencies to the General Assembly detailing UAV usage, criminal investigations aided, costs, and non-target data collection; judges must report to the Attorney General on all UAV orders issued or denied, with the Attorney General compiling comprehensive annual reports for the General Assembly.