Bill would put tight restrictions on drone use in state (Washington)
Originally published February 8, 2013 at 8:55 PM | Page modified February 8, 2013 at 8:55 PM
A new bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker in Olympia would put strict restrictions on how law-enforcement agencies and state departments can buy and deploy aerial drones.
Rep. David Taylor’s proposal was introduced Friday, a day after Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn ordered the city’s Police Department to abandon its nascent drone program, which had received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration but was awaiting the go-ahead from the City Council.
Taylor’s extensive bill covers the purchase of drones, data collection by the unmanned aerial vehicles, search-warrant requirements and mandated audits.
The Moxee, Yakima County, lawmaker worked for about two months on the measure, which would regulate drones for both law-enforcement and state agencies, such as the Department of Ecology or the Department of Transportation ...
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