Idaho Legislators Set Drone Guidelines

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers have signed off on legislation creating new guidelines for when police can deploy drones to gather criminal evidence. The bill is intended to protect citizen privacy and bars police from using unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance without a warrant — except in emergencies like hostage standoff.

Under the bill, anyone unlawfully targeted could press charges and would be entitled to $1,000 in damages. The House approved the measure 66-2 early Wednesday, and the Senate followed suit later on a 30-4 vote. The bill is now on its way to the governor's desk. A second resolution encouraging Idaho to compete with other states to become a drone testing site has passed the Senate, but is languishing in the House.

Idaho Legislators Set Drone Guidelines