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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=12167
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 15, 2013 11:43 AM
From: Senator Mike Folmer
To: All Senate members
Subject: Pennsylvania Drone Moratorium
 
The 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

I fear these rights are threatened by 21st Century technology – in particular, drones: unmanned aerial vehicles that can either fly on their own or be piloted remotely. Drones can be used for a variety of different purposes – including surveillance.

The use of drone technology has raised a myriad of constitutional issues across the United States and many states have introduced legislation to limit, ban, or place a moratorium on the use of drones until these issues can be properly vetted.

Shortly, I plan to introduce legislation calling for a moratorium in Pennsylvania: specifically, the ability of state and local government agencies – including law enforcement – to fly drones over any Commonwealth municipality before July 1, 2015 (i.e., two years).

Thank you.



Introduced as SB875