Police in Derbyshire, U.K., have posted photos taken with drones on Twitter of dogwalkers in local beauty spots, labeling the activity as “Not Essential,” prompting pushback from residents who had been told by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that outside exercise is allowed. A medical delivery drone company in Africa hopes its aircraft can play a role in the pandemic response.
In the U.S., state legislatures have introduced more than 50 drone bills since the beginning of 2020. None specifically mention coronavirus, but their purpose has added significance at this time. It’s likely that more pandemic-specific legislation, as well as revised bills, will be introduced in the coming months. Here are some highlights:
SF306, a Minnesota Senate bill requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before using an unmanned aerial vehicle. In addition to applications in criminal investigations, the bill would authorize drone use “during or in the aftermath of an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or bodily harm to a person,” in natural or man-made disaster situations, and “over a public event where there is a heightened risk to the safety of participants or bystanders.” The bill, introduced in mid-February, does not mention the pandemic.
Tennessee’s HB1612 would allow law enforcement to use a drone without a search warrant to investigate the scene of a crime or to “enhance security” of public events attended by more than 100 persons. It requires that video captured at public events be posted online within one day of its collection.
By comparison, New Jersey Assembly bill A2301 would prohibit law enforcement officer or agencies from using drones in surveillance, defined as “monitoring, observing, photographing, listening to, or making a recording of a person or group of persons or their movements, activities and communications.”
A South Dakota bill, HB1059, introduced in mid-January and signed by the governor on March 2, addresses an entirely different application: hunting with drones. It makes it a misdemeanor to use a drone “to kill or attempt to kill a wild bird or animal,” or to use one to locate, spot or drive prey. The charges would not apply if the drone is operated over private land, with the permission of a landowner, or if it is used for this purpose in any month other than September, October and November.
