Bill > HB4436

This bill amends the Texas Government Code to add a new provision allowing unmanned aircraft (drones) to capture images for news-gathering purposes under specific conditions. The new provision permits images to be captured by licensed radio or television broadcast stations, newspapers of general circulation in Texas, or other recognized news organizations, with the critical caveat that the images cannot be of individuals in locations where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This addition is part of an existing section of law that already outlines numerous circumstances where drone imagery is legally permissible, such as for research, military operations, utility maintenance, law enforcement activities, and various professional uses. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving media organizations and regulatory bodies time to understand and adapt to the new provision. By explicitly including news-gathering in the list of approved drone image capture scenarios, the bill provides legal clarity for journalists seeking to use unmanned aircraft for reporting purposes while maintaining privacy protections for individuals.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4436