California to Consider Bill to Regulate ‘Drones’

Senator Alex Padilla

On Monday, 12/3, Senator Alex Padilla introduced a bill into the California State Assembly aimed at establishing regulations on the domestic use of drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Senator Padilla expressed his concerns indicating, “…domestic drones have the potential to be used for surreptitious surveillance activities that infringe upon fundamental constitutional rights… there are legitimate reasons for concern about privacy… We must ensure that there are clear guidelines in place that protect the rights of all Californians”.

Padilla added, “The pace at which government reacts to developments in science and technology is often too slow. Technology is deployed and only later are the impacts to safety and privacy considered. While public and privately operated drones can have a legitimate role in areas such as agriculture, scientific research, and public safety, such systems present new challenges to the privacy and due process rights of all Californians”.

AMA is currently attempting to contact Senator Padilla to open a dialog regarding the specific language in the bill. AMA wishes to ensure the Senator’s efforts to regulate the commercial and public use of UAS within the State of California do not have unintended consequences for the tens of thousands of recreational aeromodeling enthusiasts that have operated harmoniously in the state for decades.

Click the link below to read the article edited by Christopher Simmons in the California Newswire®
Calif. Senator Padilla Introduces Bill to Regulate Drones in California

Click the link below to read the complete text of the bill…
California Senate Bill No. 15 (SB-15)

Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs