RAWLINS, WY – Wyoming Liberty Group provided information to the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee as it considered legislation that would regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles-commonly known as drones-by law enforcement agencies.
"Drones are quickly becoming smaller, more efficient, cheaper and common," said Steve Klein, WyLiberty staff attorney. "Despite this, courts treat them just like manned airplanes when they're used for surveillance, meaning police do not need to get a warrant before using them. The Judiciary Committee should adopt a committee bill that would fix this by requiring a warrant for most investigations using drones."
WyLiberty's handout to the committee provided an up-to-date map detailing the current status of drone regulation throughout the United States and a table comparing the laws in the ten states where regulation has passed.
"In the last two years most states have considered laws that would regulate the use of drones by police, and a good number have passed them including our neighbors Montana, Idaho and Utah," said Klein. "These laws provide an important balance between public safety and freedom, and ensure that police will not be able to keep an ever-present eye in the sky."
Klein is currently authoring a policy paper detailing drone use and regulation throughout the country.
The interim committee will meet again in July and September before the 2015 General Session.
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