Bill > SB1331

This bill, concerning the use of drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), by state and local government departments, establishes a moratorium, meaning a temporary halt, on their use by state and local law enforcement and regulatory entities until July 1, 2015. This restriction does not apply to defined emergency situations or training exercises related to those emergencies, nor does it affect certain functions of the Virginia National Guard or research and development activities conducted by higher education institutions or other research organizations. As part of this legislation, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and other state agencies, is tasked with creating model protocols, which are sets of rules or guidelines, for how law enforcement agencies can use drones and is required to present these findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2013.