California drone fans got a big win this week after Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill that would have restricted the flying devices from certain areas.
The bill, from state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, would have banned drones from flying less than 350 feet above private property. Drone operators would have needed to obtain "express permission" from property owners to fly within that zone, or risk being charged with trespassing.
"Drone technology certainly raises novel issues that merit careful examination," the Governor wrote in his decision. "This bill, however, while well-intentioned, could expose the occasional hobbyist and the FAA-approved commercial user alike to burdensome litigation and new causes of action."
In a Facebook post, Jackson accepted defeat but said she hopes to readdress the issue next year.
"I am obviously disappointed that the Governor vetoed my drone privacy legislation, SB 142, but pleased the bill launched an important discussion on our privacy and private property rights and drones," Jackson wrote. "Obviously, the public wants some action on this issue. I hope to continue this discussion and continue working on this issue next year."
The decision comes after the FAA last month said that illegal drone use has quadrupled from last year.
"Pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, from a total of 238 sightings in all of 2014, to more than 650 by August 9 of this year," the agency said. "The FAA wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous and illegal." Unauthorized operators may face fines, criminal charges, and even jail time.
This has been an issue in California, where a hobbyist flying a drone recently prevented an aircraft from successfully fighting a wildfire.
In North Dakota, meanwhile, the state legislature passed a bill that was intended to restrict law enforcement's use of drones in order to protect citizens' privacy. But the watered-down version that was actually signed into law leaves the door open for some creative uses of the flying devices by state and local police.
Source: pcmag.com
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