The House Environment and Transportation Committee voted unanimously in favor of SB 370 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Development, Regulation, and Privacy Act of 2015 with an amendment. The amendment will require a review by state and local law enforcement officers of unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, including use that interferes with State or local public safety efforts or sensitive areas or facilities.

The amendment was added by the Motor Vehicle & Transportation Subcommittee. MACo urged adoption of the amendment to make sure that as the drone industry develops, and recreational and hobbyist use of drones increase, the General Assembly is aware of any new challenges of protecting critical infrastructure in Maryland. As described in MACo’s testimony, state and local law enforcement will likely be working in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration to identify unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft.

For more information, see the bill information page and our previous posts.