HB 1295 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Act prohibiting state and local agents from operating unmanned aerial vehicles or disclosing information acquired through UAV operations without written consent or a warrant, with limited exceptions.

• Establishes exceptions allowing UAV use for: emergencies involving imminent threats to life or safety, warrant-authorized surveillance of nonpublic areas, court-ordered surveillance of public areas with reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, non-law-enforcement operations (with information inadmissible as evidence), public land surveillance without targeting private individuals, and scientific research or cartography without biometric analysis.

• Prohibits use of facial recognition or biometric matching technology on non-targeted data, restricts UAV weapons to authorized Department of Defense and military personnel, and renders information collected in violation of the act inadmissible as evidence except for exculpatory evidence or evidence proving a violation.

• Establishes civil and criminal penalties including up to 6 months jail time and fines of $250 to $2,500 per violation, requires disciplinary proceedings upon finding a violation, and allows private individuals to pursue civil suits for declaratory and injunctive relief with attorney fees.

• Mandates detailed record-keeping for each UAV use retained for 3 years locally and 10 years by the Administrator of the Courts, with records accessible through the Oklahoma Open Records Act.